MAy 2019
Watching the Wings of Hope Unfold
March 20, 2019, marked 50 years since the publication of one of the most widely read and deeply loved children’s books. No matter how many times children hear this story, they long to revisit it and hear it again.
To mark this historic event in school, all of the classes did a study of the book. The twos revisited the story line, the threes explored the illustrations, and the fours did an author study.
The book tells the story of a little caterpillar and its transformation into a butterfly. All of the children had the opportunity to follow that metamorphosis firsthand in their classrooms. Everyone got a few caterpillars and sat back and watched the magic happen over the next two weeks. Teachers recorded the children’s observations and listened carefully to their comments, their awe, and their wonder.
After the chrysalides formed, the caterpillars had to be moved to their new habitats. The children watched and waited, and slowly one day after the next, squeals and screams could be heard from the classrooms. “We have butterflies!” “He’s flying!”
After that, the butterflies had to be fed and cared for
Once they got big and sturdy, the children took them outside to release them.
We learned so many lessons from this experience. At each stage of development, the caterpillars needed a different type of care and a different kind of environment. Parents and teachers know that as children grow and develop, their needs change and we have to support them in different ways.
Teachers also observed that, just like the children in their care, the caterpillars were so capable and proceeded to continue on their journey with just a little encouragement and proper care.
When asked why the book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” has been so successful, the author Eric Carle answered, “It is a book of hope.” He said, “Like the caterpillar, children will grow up and spread their wings.” It was so beautiful for us to observe both of these things happening at the same time.
Our Hungry Caterpillar study culminated on Purim, when the children celebrated with a host of special activities and games. They made butterfly shadow puppets, crawled like caterpillars, danced with butterfly wings, and played games with the different foods.
Before we set the butterflies free, we all talked about the miracles we had witnessed. We were blessed to see these miracles in our classrooms. We pray that we all continue to be blessed with seeing the miracles of our children’s transformation every day.
