Bugs intrigue children. Who didn’t have a baby food jar with air holes punched into the lid and a few crawlers collected from the backyard inside? More than half of all living things in the world are insects – and they can be fascinating creatures. The best way to approach a “bug hunt” with children is by direct observation.
Fortunately, nearby fields, woods, and even the backyard can offer an abundance of specimens for study. To become proper bug hunters, carry a magnifying glass, an informative insect book and a “bug hotel” (container). Then start the search by looking under rocks, old logs, leaves and patio planters. After collecting enough “samples” to satisfy a young entomologist, sit down to identify the finds, study them, and be sure to let the insects go once finished with them.
Here are some interesting facts about bugs that can be discussed with children while doing this activity. There are plenty of indoor projects to do too!
- Insects are many different sizes, shapes, and colors. Fairy flies are so small they can go through the eye of a needle, whereas, the largest insects are the Goliath beetle which is 4 inches in length and the Atlas moth which has a wing span of 10 inches.
- Insects come from eggs. Baby insects are usually called larvae.
- An insect has six legs and a jointed body, which consists of three distinct parts: the head, thorax (middle body), and abdomen. A good example of this is the ant.
- Most winged insects have four wings (two pairs).
- Their antennae detect odors, sound waves, respond to air currents, and are used for touch.
- Some insects are useful as they produce foods we eat, pollinate plants, eat other insects which are harmful, and are a source of food for many animals.
Nature Walks are Great Learning Tools
Take children on nature walks to look for bugs. Tell them to observe only and not touch (a child might touch an insect that could sting). Together talk about how some bugs crawl and other fly. Ask the children to pretend to be an insect and move like the bugs they see. Sing songs like “Eensy Weensy Spider” or “Bringing Home A Baby Bumblebee"
At home, plan a "bug hunting exploration" by hiding several plastic toy bugs around the house and invite the children to find them. Another variation is to fill a dishpan with clean sand, hiding the toy bugs inside. Children can catch the toy bugs by using a tweezer or tongs to pull the insects out.
Make a Bug Hotel
In order to observe insects closely, try capturing a few placing them in a well-confined temporary home. With a little “bug hotel”, children can invite friendly insects inside to spend a day or night studying them through its many windows. Youngsters can use poster paint to decorate the outside of an oatmeal container. Paint or draw the windows, then use scissors or a craft knife (adults only) to cut them open.
Placing insect stickers on the container would be fun too. Take a piece of window screening and roll it so it rests snugly around the inside of the container. Trim so the top edge fits beneath the lid, and leave a one-inch overlap where the sides meet. Place the lid on top. Glue a hotel sign on the container – let the kids choose the name.
After the insects have been captured, take time together to look at the bugs closely either with the naked eye or use a magnifying glass. Count the legs, wings, antennae and look at the colors and patterns of the insect. Be kind to the guests – provide some nature food and water (a filled plastic water cap) while they are visiting. When observation is over, just unfasten the lid and let the insects fly out.
It's Time to View Insect Tunnels
As the earth is defrosting this spring, it’s prime time for making an earthworm ranch. These see-through ranches allow kids to watch worms tunnel and turn an organic garbage into fertilizer. After observatory time, children can transplant these cute cultivators outside, where they’ll help aerate and fertilize the soil. Take a 1-2 gallon wide mouth jar or a small 5-gallon aquarium and fill it with compost and soil. Compost is matter such as fruit and vegetable peels, old leaves, and any food not eaten (except for animal products which smell as it rots).
In a ranch container, layer the compost with soil, moistening each layer with water. Let it sit for a few days, stirring it and moistening it occasionally with a spray mister. Gather about six worms. After a rain, they can be found almost anywhere; under leaves and especially in moist soil. Put the worms on top of the soil of the ranch container covering the top with a screen top.
Since worms like it dark, cover the sides of the container with black construction paper and tape it in place. Set the worm ranch in a cool, shady place. Keep the soil moist and remember to keep adding compost. After a few days, remove the black paper and look for the worm tunnels.
Nature is exciting and with these bug theme activities, preschool children will think "bugs are cool!" There is quite a bit of learning to be had with nature just outside your door.
Reference:
Albert, Toni, M.Ed. Science by the Season. Carson-Dellosa Publishing, 1992.
Tania Cowling - Tania Kourempis Cowling is a former early childhood teacher, a published author of three teacher resource books (Shake, Tap, and Play a ...
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