Bugs Are Cool

[30 Minutes]

Spark your child's curiosity about insects as you take a special "bug walk" together!

What to do:

1. Take your child on a nature walk to look for bugs. Tell him to observe only and not touch.
2. Talk about the variety of bugs; some crawl and some fly.
3. Ask your child to pretend to be an insect and move like the bugs he sees.
4. You and your child can get a bit of exercise as you do a "bug boogie" together. Sing to your own tune:

   Grasshoppers go jumpity jump, jumpity jump. (jump up and down).
   Caterpillars crawl bumpity bump, bumpity bump. (crawl on the ground).
   Playful crickets go hoppity hop, hoppity hop. (hop up and down).
   As we "boogie", happy children like you
   Will jumpity, bumpity, hoppity too! (jump, hop, and dance around).

5. If you see a spider, it would be a good time to teach your child the traditional song and fingerplay about spiders:

   The eensy, weensy spider climbed up the waterspout.
   Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
   Out came the sun and dried up all the rain,
   So the eensy, weensy spider crawled up the spout again.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• Did you see bugs on our walk outside?
• Where did the bugs live?
• What do you think bugs eat?
• Would you like to be as small as a bug?

Useful information:

While you are having fun together, this activity helps your child develop observational skills, large muscle skills, and language skills.