Exploring "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle

The children of Big Bird Buddies have been exploring The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. This unique book provides many learning opportunities for young children. The story of an egg that hatches into a "very tiny and very hungry caterpillar" and eats a variety of foods, increasing in number, each day of the week. Finally this caterpillar, which has become "a big fat caterpillar" wraps into a cocoon. When he nibbles his way out he is a "beautiful butterfly".

Number: Counting Objects
Using an old oatmeal can with a lid and construction paper, we created our very own hungry caterpillar. There is a great big mouth cut into the lid provides the children to "feed" the caterpillar and count the food pieces he is given. "On Friday, he ate through five oranges. But he was still hungry!"

Mathematics and Science: Natural objects; living and nonliving
The children experience a simplified version of a caterpillar's life cycle. They recognize the process of change over time.

The children are also exposed to the days of week and the concept of time; as the caterpillar stays in his cocoon for two weeks.

Home to School Connection
Our families have been given the opportunity to experience this learning at home with their children. Our "Book in a Bag" activity is now filled with The Very Hungry Caterpillar, our own class-made caterpillar and his food, materials to create a butterfly, and of course a camera to document their excitement and learning!

We encourage you to experience this book at home with your children! The possibilities are endless!