A Butterfly is Born!!

This week we witnessed two amazing things. Firstly, we watched a caterpillar turn into a chrysalis, and secondly we watched a butterfly being born.

These experiences have absolutely fascinated some of the Pukeko children. Freya, Novak, Luka, Olivia and Victoria especially have been particularly interested in how the life cycle of a butterfly actually occurs.

Each morning, as soon as we open up the doors to go outside, they run to see if any changes have occurred. For example, they ask, “Have any more eggs been laid”, “Do we have any more caterpillars”, “How many crysalises do we have now”, “Have any butterflies been born?”


So yesterday afternoon when the children discovered one of our crysalises moving, they stood in anticipation waiting very very patiently, to see if a butterfly would actually begin to hatch... and to their amazement it did...and they were right there at the right time to watch the entire process unfold. How exciting!


Whilst we were unable to hold this particular butterfly there and then, the following day, once its wings had been given the chance to dry out overnight, I approached the butterfly carefully, and encouraged it to walk onto my hand, so that I could show the children what it looked like up close.


The descriptive language that the children used to describe what they saw through their own eyes was fascinating to listen to. Olivia said, “It looks silky smooth”. Novak said, “It’s orange and black”. Freya said, “It’s got circles and lines on it”. Victoria said, “We have to be careful because it’s soft isn’t it Mel”. Molly said, “It’s got two long eyelashes” (she was pointing to its antennae). And Luka said, “It’s beautiful eh Mel!”