The younger children had not used magnifying glasses before and found it strange looking at the magnified objects. Staff supported them when needed and helped them to hold the creatures carefully.
The children collected spiders and insects and made a home for them in a tray containing soil and leaves so that they could follow their movements.
Allowing the children to explore by themselves helped them to get used to the bugs and not be frightened of them. They also seemed more respectful of the little creatures - before the project, some children just stamped on them!
We also studied the life cycle of caterpillars. We have got some caterpillars and are watching with interest to see them turn into cocoons.
We'll release them when they eventually turn into butterflies. We accompanied the project by reading Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar, concentrating on number work as the focal point in the story.
We also sang insect related songs, such as 'Incey Wincey Spider'.
The project ended with the Ugly Bug Ball, when the children dressed up as a variety of creatures ranging from ladybirds and flies to worms. They enjoyed delicacies such as fly biscuits, bugs in mud and stick insects. It was really nice for the parents to be actively involved by making the costumes and the staff joined in with the day's antics, including face painting.
The children have got so much out of this project. They have learned that insects aren't nasty creepy crawlies, but interesting creatures with their own characteristics. And we are really looking forward to releasing the butterflies - it will be lovely to see them flying from flower to flower in the nursery garden.
Nursery manager Chrissie Richardson spoke to Mahrukh Choughtai
