Summer Camp Learns about the Life Cycle of a Butterfly

Our summer program kids had so much fun learning about the life cycle of the caterpillar to butterfly. With the help of several St. Ann Center staff the kids gathered some caterpillars and a lot of leaves and branches put them in a large plastic container with holes punched in the top…and then they waited.

Each day they checked the container and watched as the caterpillars ate the leaves and pooped…and boy did they poop. They learned to clean out the container and make sure the caterpillars had plenty to eat and someplace strong to attach themselves to so they could make their cocoons.

The caterpillars attached themselves to the top of the container and began to spin their cocoons. The children got to see the whole process. Once the cocoon was formed they waited. It turned out they waited about 12 days; that was the average wait.

Right before their eyes a magnificent monarch butterfly emerged ever so slowly from its chrysalis (also called a pupa.) The kids also learned some new words! When the butterfly’s wings were dry they took the butterfly out of the jar and took turns letting it land on their hands, or shirts and noses! When it was time, they released the beautiful butterfly outside so it could start the life cycle all over again!

It certainly didn’t take long and they were lucky enough to experience the full life cycle of the butterfly. The summer program learned many new things this summer. Our next summer program article will be about Mad Science!

 

A plastic bottle, newspaper and masking tape!

“A plastic bottle, newspaper and masking tape!” said Derek, a summer program participant. “Looks like an airplane to me” said another little boy. “All it needs is some paint” said another. The children in the St. Ann Center summer program are having a fun time being creative and they are also learning a special lesson about recycling.

Stacy Vittal, Adaptive Arts Director & Art Therapist at St. Ann Center had the enterprising idea of creating an art project that would teach the children the power of recycling as well as environmental sustainability. She hoped they would learn how easy and accessible it is to recycle.

When asked about the benefits of the project Stacy said, “The children are learning how to make independent decisions, improve their social skills, build self-esteem and improve interpersonal skills. The also have a chance to improve fine motor skills through art. The benefits are endless.”