The Butterfly Life Cycle: An Inquiry into Natures Magic.

 

Several weeks ago some of our tamariki noticed that we had caterpillars on our swan plant here at kindergarten. This emerging interest among the tamariki sparked the idea of carrying out an inquiry into the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly. 

Over the coming weeks this interest really took hold within the  kindergarten and many of the tamariki were arriving each morning, eager to check in on the status of the caterpillars, noticing any changes that may have taken place over night. 

This prompted the question... what do we know about the Monarch Butterfly? 

Many of the tamariki had prior knowledge around these incredible creatures, and were able to share their understandings with the group. 

     

Here are some of their ideas......

“They get onto a leaf and they turn into a butterfly.”

- Hohepa 

“He turns into a butterfly. The caterpillar goes onto that tree." (pointing to the swan plant).

“How long does it take?” - Sarah

“Like 5 weeks.” - Brodie

“No 5 minutes!” - Hohepa

“It takes 6 weeks.” - Mack 

 “It is a caterpillar, those are the little cocoons. These are the seed pods. - Layla 

“He’s yellow and black and he hangs on a leaf and hangs upside down. It turns into one of these. (pointing to the chrysalis). Then it has wings and it turns into a butterfly and it flies into the sky.” - Brodie

 

“The caterpillar is hanging down. The caterpillar has stripes. Here is the caterpillar’s bed.” – Sofia

“It’s eating the leaves. It might be eating the fruits on there. It has stripes on it’s skin. Is that teeth? I think they’re teeth. It’s got lots of legs. They have long ears. They’re black, white and yellow.” - Layla

“It’s broken. It will turn into a butterfly from a caterpillar. It goes bigger.” - Elijah

“There are these pointy things on his head. They eat leaves. Green and black and white, that’s what colour he has.” - Carter

“I know them. I have a plant at Nana Morgies. Them can fly. Them try to fly off the plant. The body is the seed. When it lands it grows more seeds. If you pop them they are so sticky on you.” - Georgia

One morning when the tamariki arrived at kindergarten there was a surprise! Our first chrysalis! This sparked much discussion around what it was. Some of the tamariki knew right away....

“My picture is all about the chrysalis. The caterpillar is going to turn into a butterfly. That one is a butterfly. This is just the grass here.” - Jaden

However some were perplexed as to what it could be....

“Is it some sort of egg? A praying mantis one?” - Leo

 “It’s a bean.” - Taimania

It was really fantastic to hear the varying thoughts and ideas that the tamariki offered as they began to develop and refine their working theories around the metamorphosis process. We realized that we needed to expand on what we already know about this magical concept, so we decided to borrow some books from the library, while also gathering information via online sources to further extend our research on the topic. 

There was lots of anticipation over the coming days as we observed the chrysalis intently for any changes. In one of the library books, it  explained that it usually takes 12 days for the caterpillar to change into a butterfly. 

Well lo and behold, the timing was bang on. We had marked the days on a calendar, and on the 12th morning when we arrived at kindergarten the chrysalis had changed from green to black....

We quickly realized that this butterfly was going to hatch at any moment! The tamariki gathered round the table and waited...

                           "Look! It's getting born!" - Mack

“It’s tangled.” - Nina

“Look at it’s long tiny horns. I think it has polka dots.” - Lila

                         “The wings are down.” - Layla

There was a true sense of awe and wonder among the tamariki as they experienced this magical event. 

Wonder fuels curiosity, prompting children to ask questions, investigate, and learn new things. Nurturing children's wonder, curiosity and sense of joy within these unique experiences fosters a lifelong love of learning and discovery. 

A couple of the tamariki felt inspired by their experience and chose to document their observations through art.

The butterfly remained on the empty chrysalis for over two hours, pumping the fluid from it's abdomen to it's wings, allowing them to expand and dry. Once it was ready to take flight, we were fortunate to have one last moment with the butterfly as it fluttered right onto kaiako Sandy's arm. We gathered around and watched intently as it slowly fluttered it's wings up and down. What a perfect opportunity to closely observe the amazing pattern on it's wings, noticing the colours, lines, dots and symmetry of nature's design. 

We returned the butterfly onto the swan plant, so it would know where to return to lay it's eggs when the time comes. Although the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly is now complete, our learning is just beginning. 

The deeper learning that took place for tamariki during this inquiry has now prompted more wonderings....

What is the butterflies role in the garden?

Are they pests or beneficial for the mara kai?

What plants can we grow to attract butterflies to the garden?

Food for thought, as we continue on this journey of learning and discovery.