Hunting for Minibeasts

On Wednesday of this week, the FS2 children had the opportunity to visit William Holden Education Centre as part of their Minibeasts topic.

The trip started off with a talk about different bugs and it was interesting to hear the children responding so well to the questions that were asked. We next got to see some preserved species of different minibeasts; they were amazed that crabs can be found in freshwater.

This was followed by a bug hunt in their garden and nature trail. The facilitators were kind enough to provide some sieves and nets to aid the hunt, the children felt like proper minibeast hunters.

Minibeast hunts are a brilliant opportunity to get children talking as they dig through the soil and explore their surroundings. The children were excited by their discoveries and keen to share the news of which insects they had found.

The children also learnt the reward of being quiet, calm and patient - it meant they could discover more interesting minibeasts. As I’m sure you’ll agree, patience is a tricky skill for children - so, any fun opportunity to practise is golden!

A very big thank you to the facilitators at the William Holden Education Centre for teaching the children so much, being such wonderful hosts and also modelling patience with the FS2’s.

Quotes from some children:

Tell me something you learnt on the trip?

Archer: We learnt not to go on the bridge.

Aarush: There was lots of kinds of buds.

Affie: I learnt about butterflies, they’ve got wings.

Jayden: About animals, not touch the dog.

Alexis: We learnt about bugs, bees sting, the queen bee lays eggs.

Maggie: I saw a butterfly.

Melissa: Bees poo out honey.

What was your favourite part?

Archer: Seeing the bugs.

Aarush: I was seeing nothing and I didn’t find one.

Affie: Driving.

Jayden: About learning.

Alexis: Seeing the big tree, also catching butterflies.

Maggie: I always see bugs.

Melissa: Eating.

George: Looking for butterflies and looking for dudus. Some dudus hurt people.

Zara: Catching bugs

Diyan: Catching butterflies using a long net

Aliya, Grayson, Amara: Spotting butterflies

Tyler: I enjoyed having a sandwich and seeing butterflies

Amara: I liked playing and looking for bugs with a magnifying glass.

Coralie: I liked the butterflies because caterpillars into butterflies

Francis: I enjoyed playing with Archer and catching bugs with a sieve.

Ndumia: Going to fairmount

Tristan: Going to William Holden and seeing bugs