Caterpillar Lesson Plans

Summer Poems, Songs & Rhymes

Summer Lesson Plans

Butterfly Suncatcher

Lesson Plan:  ​

Butterfly Suncatcher

Age Group:

Toddler

​* Lesson plan objective and assessment can be adapted to use this activity with preschoolers or school-age children.

Objectives:

Children will:

• practice the fine motor skill of pincer grasping.
• express themselves by creating a unique piece of artwork.

​

​CDA Competency Standard:

​II.7.4a

• Candidate promotes individual expression and creativity
  • ​​​a) Encourages creative self-expression in children’s activities

Materials:

• Butterfly cut out
• Clear contact paper
• Cut or torn tissue paper 
• Scissors 

Procedure:

• Create the butterfly frame by cutting out the butterfly boarder shape out of construction paper.
• Place on top of contact paper.
• Place cut tissue paper squares for children to use and encourage them to create.
• Ask questions "Great color choices, how did you come up with those?" "I'm seeing a pattern, tell me about it."
• When the children are done making their pattern, place another piece of contact paper on the opposite side, sealing the stained glass mitten inside. 
• Trim the excess contact paper off.
• Hole punch to hang or tape butterflies in a window for the light to come through.

**If adapting this lesson for preschoolers, have them cut out the tissue paper squares as well as the contact paper mitten to practice scissor skills. 

Assessment:

• Observe and record the children’s fine motor skills. Were they able to use a pincer grip (the ability to pick up small items using the thumb and index finger)? 
• Observe and record how the children expressed themselves through their art.

Note:  Please provide appropriate supervision to the children in your care when completing all activities. You will need to decide what types of activities are safe for the children in your care.  Appropriate and reasonable caution should be used when providing art and sensory experiences for children.  Toddlers require special caution, only use non-toxic materials, and do not allow toddlers to put things in their mouths that are a choking hazard. ​

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Focusing on the Process vs the Product

by Debbie Hasbrook M.Ed. 
“Oh what a pretty….umm what is it?” is a common comment heard from many parents as their child hands them a picture. It won’t take long before a child believes that they need to label their creation to please a parent or teacher. Yes, teachers will also join a child who is creating and ask “What is it?” Early childhood education is about exploration, discovery, experimenting and mastering skills. Supporting young children in their efforts and providing opportunities for success is an important aspect of their social and emotional development. 

A child that has spent time touching, tasting, using a variety of materials and their wonderful imaginations need us to affirm their work as is. Most of the time a child is not working towards making something we might recognize. Their feeling of pride and accomplishment are visible with big smiles and wanting to show it to a teacher or important adult.

​We help children do this by focusing on the process vs the product. Use materials that are developmentally appropriate and inviting for your age group. It is not uncommon for a teacher planning the art center to think in terms of “what” the children can make today. When we focus on the “process” we think in terms of how an activity can be done, what materials we can gather, where the activity will be done, and what can we add to the environment to make it a pleasurable activity. It is all about the experience and an introduction to materials that spur the imagination.

Process art experiences do not have a right or wrong way to create. If a child asks you to do it for them simply say “The way you do it is just right.” Notice and comment on elements of their work, such as “I see that you are using blue.” Listen to what the children are saying as they create. This is a great time to use all the bits and pieces that have collected from other projects. Use natural items to provide interest such a painting with leaves or feathers.