We have always tried to show respect to every living creature, including insects. Some insects are harder to “love” than others, but lady bugs are an insect that is accepted by most children. I have so many memories that involved this little bug. One memory in particular still makes me laugh.
The daycare has always spent a great deal of time outside. Exploring our environment is always a must. This summer I had invested in insect catching kits, complete with little habitats for observation. Encouraging the children to look at many different insects, and being gentle. Ladybugs were the easiest to catch. One of the children was especially fond of the little red, and black polka dotted creatures. He had lots in his habitat crawling around.
As the sun started beating down, and the heat of being outside became too much to bare, we went back inside. The children were scared their new found friends would get hot in their little houses, so out of respect for the insects we released them into the shady areas of the yard. Or so I thought……
Cold glasses of water, and air conditioning helped squelch the heat of the day. Heading to the playroom for a cooler place to play. The children began sharing their excitement with each other about their bugs. One of the children spoke non stop about the ladybugs he caught, but kept making reference to them and showing the other children something in his hands. Thinking nothing of it, and pleased with their excitement over bug kits, I settled on the floor to watch and play games with the children.
Feeling something crawling on my arm, I looked and saw a ladybug. Taking the little bug into my hand I released it out the window. Sitting down again I see another one crawling up my pant leg, releasing it again out the window. I could hear some of the kids talking excitedly about the ladybugs and how wiggly they are. Their excitement bringing joy to my heart. Walking over to join their conversation, I notice yet another ladybug on the carpet. Catch and release. One of my littles was giggling, sticking his hands into his pocket and showing his friends his little possession. Low and behold, along with putting his ladybugs into the little habitat, he was also putting them in his pocket 🙂 Laughing, I had to take him outside for him to release at least 20 ladybugs!
The ladybugs had crawled out of his pocket, up his shirt, and in his pants. He laughed so hard as I tried to gently brush them off of him, rescuing ladybugs from his hair 🙂
A smile spread across my face that winter when I noticed a little ladybug living in one of my potted plants 🙂