Curious butterflies
Where do butterflies go when it rains?
Children often ask us the most fabulous questions.
Where…? Why… ? What…? When…?
Finding answers for a seemingly endless stream of curly questions can feel exhausting for a parent, but asking questions is how kids expand their knowledge and gather the information they need to make sense of the world. Their questions often don’t need complex answers, but they do need a satisfying response.
Pre-schoolers have very limited life experience but their brains are developing rapidly, and absorbing data like little sponges. They’re naturally very curious about everything around them and keenly trying to work it all out. Their thirst for understanding causes those continual questions… curious kids are learning kids.
How to support your child’s curiosity:
Show an interest in what your child is asking you.
Reassure them that asking questions is okay and even to be encouraged. Make sure they know there is “no wrong question”.
If you don’t know the answer to a question, it’s okay to admit that and to say you don’t know.
So… where DO butterflies go when it rains?
Well, apparently they look for shelter at the first sign of rain, and cling to the undersides of leaves, or hide deep amongst grasses. Getting wet damages their delicate wings, making them too heavy to fly.
Now, I can’t vouch that the butterflies I’m introducing as today’s craft activity would survive any rainstorm. In fact, they’ll probably get very soggy, but that’s a new conversation in itself. What happens when paper gets wet? Why did the colours run? Why….?
Zigzag butterflies
These paper butterflies are simple and fun to make and look lovely hung indoors or in windows, but in Summer it’s magic to hang them from a tree branch to let them catch a sunshiny breeze.
Any paper will do, as long as it’s thin enough to fold easily. Get the kids to brightly decorate some sheets, or recycle some artwork they’ve made earlier. Some tricky folding is required so adult fingers will be needed to get this done. Work as a team and make a whole bunch - they look fabulous hanging up together.
You’ll need:
paper, A4 or larger
brightly coloured textas, crayons or pastels
scissors
yarn or string
Decorate both sides of a sheet of paper.
Cut 2 squares from the paper: one about the size of a slice of bread, one slightly larger (see photo for reference)
Use scissors to round off the corners of the smaller square
Take one square and fold it in half diagonally, then carefully fold each half into zig zags or concertinas. Bend to fold it in the middle and pinch the centre firmly.
Repeat with the other square
Place both wings together with their bent fold touching. Wrap a piece of wool around the middle section a few times then tie in a double knot at the top. Leave a length to suspend the butterfly.
Cut 2 paper squares: one the size of a slice of bread, one larger.
Rounding off the corners of the smaller square is an optional extra… but makes for a great butterfly wing shape.
Fold zigzags diagonally across the squares from corner to corner.
Bend in the middle…
Tie around the middle to make a hanging thread, then flatten out some of the pleats with your fingers
Try hanging butterflies from a tree branch.
Experiment with using all sorts of paper… try old artwork, magazine pages, wrapping paper… any foldable paper makes lovely butterflies.
