Insects are an important part of any ecosystem, and children can learn a lot about them by observing them and providing them with a habitat in which they can live. A child’s natural inclination to build things can be put to good use in creating a home for insects. In this regard, nature-based learning is a great way for children to learn about the world around them. One way to do this is to have them build a home for insects. This is a great way to learn about insects, as well as the different types of homes they can live in. It is also a great way to learn about architecture, engineering, and construction.
Children can experiment with making a home for insects with different building materials available in nature. The child can choose the type of insect they want to house, and then research what kind of home would be best suited for that insect. They can then experiment with making the home, and see which design works best.
It’s also a wonderful experience to observe children displaying various psycho- social behaviours where they were responsible towards nature as well as themselves. The activity also builds risk taking and leadership skills in the children. In the photograph below, students first figured that they want to put a stone slab as roof for the insect house, but gradually they discussed among themselves that the heavier weight of the slab might crush the little insect, so they collectively suggested to put a lighter shade over the house structure. The female children prefer decorating their houses with molluscs and flowers too. They were also keen on the comfort and safety of the little insect inside.
They can then build the home, or help to build it, and place the insect inside. This can be as simple as a small container with some sticks and leaves, or as elaborate as a full-sized house. There are a number of ways to go about this. One option is to provide a simple container such as a cardboard box or a plastic bottle and let the children decorate it with leaves, twigs, and other natural materials. They can then make small holes in the container for the insects to enter and exit.
Another option is to build a more elaborate structure, such as a small house or even a garden. This can be done with materials such as sticks, stones, and leaves, and the children can help create a little ecosystem inside, complete with a pond, a tree, and even a small cave.
Insect homes can come in many different shapes and sizes. Some of the most common types of homes include:
-Homes made from sticks, leaves and moss
-Homes made from mud or clay
-Homes made from wood
-Homes made from glass
Each type of home has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, homes made from sticks and leaves are easy to make, but they can be easily destroyed by wind or rain. Homes made from mud or clay are very sturdy, but they can be difficult to clean. Homes made from wood are easy to clean and maintain, but they can be damaged by insects.
Insect homes can be made from a variety of different materials, including Sticks, Leaves, Mud or clay, Wood, Moss or grass, Rocks or stones, pebble etc.
Each material has its own benefits when it comes to making insect homes. For example:
-Sticks are easy to find and can be used to create a variety of different homes
-Leaves or moss can be used to create a quick and easy home for insects
-Mud or clay can be used to create a sturdy home that can withstand the elements
-Wood can be used to create a warm and comfortable home for insects
-Glass can be used to create a transparent home that allows insects to be easily observed.
There are many benefits to nature based learning for early years children. Some of these benefits include:
-Nature based learning helps children learn about their environment and the world around them
-Nature based learning helps children develop a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world
-Nature based learning helps children learn about science and nature
-Nature based learning helps children develop a love of nature and the outdoors
-Nature based learning helps children develop a sense of creativity and imagination
All of these benefits are important for early years children as they help them to learn, grow, and develop in a variety of important ways. The children also learn a lot about insects and their habits, and they will also have the satisfaction of knowing that they have created a home for these important creatures.
In early childhood education, there are many ways to incorporate the natural world into learning. Whether your children are in preschools, summer camps, or in other early-child development settings, nature is one of the many ways to promote learning and development. I hope you enjoyed the article about how you can use nature to inspire learning. If you would like to read more about nature-based learning, you can visit my website at www.chandrimadebi.com
Thank you for reading, we hope you enjoyed the article!
Like, share and follow. ?
https://www.facebook.com/Dr.ChandrimaDebi/
https://www.instagram.com/debichandrima/
https://www.sumanmitra.com/
https://linktr.ee/chandrimadebi
©All images and content are subjected to copyright
© 2023 chandrimadebi https://chandrimadebi.com
