Anticipating the arrival of our caterpillars—which we intend to raise into butterflies—preschool educators have incorporated activities into their curriculum to enhance the children’s interest in bugs. Through stories like *The Very Hungry Caterpillar* by Eric Carle, search-and-find activities (as seen in the photos), and exploring bugs in nature, the children are developing a variety of important skills. Their love for literacy is being fostered through favourite stories while also expanding their vocabulary and literacy skills. Using tweezers to grasp the pretend bugs they are looking for strengthens their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, which are important for pre-writing preparation. Exploring for bugs in nature fosters curiosity about the world around them and provides teachable moments about caring for all creatures that share our planet especially those smaller than us.
