Weekly Planner
A 5-day interactive journey exploring transformation, nature, and creative expression. Designed for ages 3-5.
Polly says
Have real fruit pieces ready for Day 1 — tasting as you read brings the lifecycle to life and ticks Understanding the World.
Understanding the World
Expressive Arts
Life Cycle of a Butterfly
A 5-day interactive journey exploring transformation, nature, and creative expression. Aligned to the EYFS for ages 3-5.
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Targeted EYFS Outcomes
nature_people UW
Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants.
palette EAD
Safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.
record_voice_over C&L
Learn new vocabulary. Ask questions to find out more and to check they understand what has been said to them.
Daily Plans
Meet the Very Hungry Caterpillar
Introduction to the lifecycle concept through storytime.
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play_circle Main Activity
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Interactive reading focusing on days of the week and counting the foods eaten.
print Required Printables
PDF
Story Sequencing Cards
3 pages • A4
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PDF
Food Counting Mat
1 page • A3 recommended
download
"Have real fruit pieces corresponding to the story ready. Let the children taste the fruit as the caterpillar eats it in the book to engage their senses!"
Symmetry Painting: Butterfly Wings
Expressive arts through printing and colour mixing.
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Main Activity
Fold a piece of paper in half. Paint one side with bright colours using caterpillar shapes, then press together to make symmetrical butterfly wings. Talk about what symmetry means.
EYFS Links
Expressive Arts & Design — Explores colour mixing. Physical Development — Fine motor with brushes.
lightbulb"Let children choose their own colours freely — resist directing them. Comment on the shapes you see: 'Your wings look like they could fly!'"
Build a Chrysalis — Junk Modelling
Understanding the World — construction and investigation.
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Main Activity
Give children a small toy or pom-pom "caterpillar" and junk modelling materials (toilet rolls, tin foil, tissue). Challenge them to make a chrysalis for it to rest inside and transform.
EYFS Links
Understanding the World — observes and talks about change. Expressive Arts — uses materials with intent.
lightbulb"Ask 'What does the caterpillar need to stay safe inside?' — prompts problem-solving thinking and vocabulary around shelter and protection."
Butterfly Life Cycle Sequencing
Communication & Language — ordering and retelling.
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Main Activity
Print the lifecycle sequencing cards (from the library). Children cut, order and glue the four stages — egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly — on a strip. Retell the story to a partner.
EYFS Links
Communication & Language — uses sequence language (first, then, next, finally). Literacy — retells narrative.
lightbulb"Model the language first: 'First the egg hatches, then…'. Children who aren't ready to cut can order the loose cards and photograph their sequence."
Butterfly Garden — Outdoor Exploration
UTW outdoors — real nature, real butterflies, real science.
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Main Activity
Head outside with clipboards and the observation sheet. Children look for real insects, sketch what they find, and discuss which plants might attract butterflies. Back inside, write or dictate three things they learned this week.
EYFS Links
Understanding the World — makes observations in the natural world. Literacy — records findings. C&L — summarises learning.
lightbulb"Display the week's artwork and sequencing strips as a 'Butterfly Gallery' — children love showing parents what they made. Great for your learning journey evidence too."