Through a Child's Eyes

15 years ago

I forgot how wonderous the life cycle of a caterpillar is to a child. I've been raising monarchs (inside) and swallowtails (outside) on and off for many years. My older children used to enjoy raising them but they are now teens and I forgot how exciting it was to them. I brought a few monarch eggs in and my 3 year old has been watching the caterpillars grow. He was pretty impressed with the chrysalis but you should have seen the look on his face when the first monarch eclosed yesterday : ) A real life "Very Hungry Caterpillar".

Karyn

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

jrcagle
15 years ago
Get 'em young, train 'em right.

BTW, how have your Spicebush cats been doing?

Jeff
karyn1
Original Author
15 years ago
So far so good. I only ended up with one survivor out of the 3 and he's getting big. That's probably a good thing because I was never able to find anymore host plants for food. I'm not sure what happened to the other two. I have them outside but the pot the tree is in is sitting in a saucer of water to keep the ants away. The ants are the main problem I have with the eggs and small cats. I haven't seen many parasitic or predatory wasps.
Karyn
Related Discussions
Daylilies through Ansel Adams Eyes
Q
Comments (3)
Very cool. Were these all yellow flowers? It's really interesting to see black and white photos of daylily forms that didn't exist before color photography. Nate
...See More
Whoa! My child growing before my eyes?
Q
Comments (0)
Not just a slideshow or even time lapse...an actual smooth video transitioning through 5 years in the span of a few minutes. I've always wanted to see it. Well after researching a while I finally found this a company called Photowhirl. It's really amazing...just search for "photowhirl" on youtube and you'll see the videos! Best part is I just had to upload photos to have it made. Does anybody know of anything else like this? I mean, you can get cheap morphing software and try it yourself, but this blows it away. A beautiful presentation with titles, music...and it looks great on my iphone! Just wish it was a little cheaper for a single parent...
...See More
An eye for an eye
Q
Comments (64)
In Luke and Matthew the conception of Jesus is the virginal conception. In Matthew the wording that Joseph did not have sexual relations with Mary until after the birth of Jesus literally means Mary was not a life long virgin. Jews of that period other than sone ofcthe Essenes did not espouse virginity as a physical social or spiritual goal. The term immaculate conception refers to Mary conceived in the womb of her mother Anna without original sin. Anna and Joachim had sexual relations in order to conceive Mary after years of infertility. This story is not in the Bible. Much of it comes from the Protevangelion of James. The dogma developed later in the Middle Ages but was not made official until the mid 19th century. Many people confuse the virginal conception with the immaculate conception. Sorry for going way off topic.
...See More
Need ideas for child’s bedroom!
Q
Comments (12)
I did this rather fast. My thought was he's graduating on to a big boy bed, but I personally would not want to over do this stage as you will need to add/eliminate in a handful of years vs. change it completely. The, "planets" in the corner are from Party City (11.00) and are named BLAST OFF PLANET LANTERNS. I would buy two sets and make them a pinch closer together than what I captured from their site using a fine clear like fishing line and if the ceiling is white a clear or white thumb tack. Vary the heights and as I recall the largest is 16" in diameter so if you purchase 2 sets you can use another couple to make it nice in the corner of the room where maybe a bean bag and a storage area with things he might want to play with are beneath them. Either way I think hanging them in the room is very fun and colorful and plays well with the comforter even if there is not room to add a piece with some storage as shown and a bean bag below in the corner. A child size bean bag is easy to find and little kids love them. I do like the stripe black out curtains... you may thing they are busy? As for sheets... I'd just do a solid using a color from the comforter as more stars or galaxy type things would be too much. The decal on the wall above the bed is very nice for his graduating to the big bed. You can pick your colors and it's from Etsy. I was leaning toward yellow things due to the gray walls. I jotted down the name of the maker if you are interested. The little rocket next to the bed is a lava lamp...no, not a lot of light, but not sure how he is with the dark and one can easily sleep with it on and so thought of that...there are other ones with shades with a motif similar to space out there though. I'm not sure if there is a ceiling light in the room? All in all, I think with the planets at varying heights and a pinch closer together and maybe 7 of them (?) depending on the size of the room... either way, putting them a pinch closer together varying heights you might want another 2 if you like them and the corner can accommodate or maybe a large single 16" in a different spot. I didn't select a rug for under the bed as I didn't know if you needed such. Just some thoughts for you to consider and all very reasonably done too. Apologies it's not to scale, but it was for you to see them all together. Talk later and if you hate something, that's ok... just say what you might prefer... Best, Porter
...See More
weed30 St. Louis
15 years ago
That's wonderful about your 3 year old. Although I am 50, and it's pretty darned wonderous to me too :)

I'm actually considering approaching some schools in my area to see if they want me to bring my dudes in and teaching the kids about them.
terrene
15 years ago
I have a 15 year old son, and he does a good job feigning boredom over my gardening "obsessions". But he is actually pretty interested in the Monarch caterpillars.

And I agree with Weed - I'm 48 and watching the life cycle of a butterfly when a tiny egg grows into such a gorgeous creature is amazing!
tdogmom
15 years ago
I don't think you can EVER grow too old for this!

And, you know those teenagers? They often do act as if everything is boring or dumb but INSIDE they are just as mesmerized as a 3- or 5- or 45-year old! :)

The little ones showed up this week and despite my utter exhaustion after two days with 31 Kindergartners, I know that the excitement of having caterpillars and other critters is what keeps me thrilled with teaching each day.

SO, if you haven't gone out to teach others about butterflies, I highly recommend it. Age has NOTHING to do with learning, especially when it comes to the science of butterflies.

(Now, ask me about my Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches...) ;P tee-hee! Nah...won't go THERE!
karyn1
Original Author
15 years ago
Actually my older ones are more interested in the Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches and my 14 yr old DS wanted one for a pet. I don't think so. lol The elementary school that my kids attended had raising Painted Lady butterflies as part of the science curriculum. They were each given Painted Lady eggs, a special food (it wasn't leaves) and a small cage that they had to clean (frass became a favorite word lol). Once they made a chrysalis they were attached to the inside of a mesh tent. The school has a courtyard that was built with help from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and a butterfly release party was the highlight of the unit. I hope this is still part of the curriculum by the time my youngest is in grade school. They also got to hatch duck eggs. I miss their being in elementary school. lol
Karyn

Through a Child's Eyes

Comments (6)

jrcagle

karyn1
Original Author

Related Discussions

weed30 St. Louis

terrene

tdogmom

karyn1
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Through a Child's Eyes

Comments (6)

jrcagle

karyn1Original Author

Related Discussions

weed30 St. Louis

terrene

tdogmom

karyn1Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

karyn1
Original Author

karyn1
Original Author