Exploring Animal Life Cycles

It’s just getting to be that time of year… many of us are seeing little hints of spring around the corner. While there’s no wrong time to dive into an exploration of life cycles, now might be the best time to begin planning and match the upcoming season!  Life cycles are a favorite study among primary-aged children and teachers alike. This understanding of growth and change has many benefits that blend into a child’s own development. Children learn how to embrace their own changes and become more confident in their current stage of life and learning.

The power of observation allows them to simply watch the steps of a process, even without a single word, and understand a complex scientific concept. Even the youngest students are conducting their first life science ‘research’ through nature, play, and discovery. Along the way, in their exploration of life cycles, children are developing their early critical thinking skills as well as positive social interaction and collaboration.

Maria Montessori believed that nature was crucial for learning, creativity, and harmony. In addition to embracing her prioritization of nature, the study of life cycles in the classroom also syncs with her stages of a child’s best window of learning and growth. These sensitive periods are much like those of any wild animal our children enjoy learning about. With the right environment, materials, and their natural curiosity, Montessori knew that we could allow children to set their own path of discovery. Just as caterpillars thrive with the right leaves and weather, children whose learning often centers around nature and order truly have their own growth and development nurtured along the way.