Lesson 5: How Living Things Change

Reception butterfly life cycle lesson

This Reception butterfly life cycle lesson helps pupils explore how living things grow and change over time. As part of the Animals and Their Habitats unit, pupils learn about the butterfly life cycle through observation, discussion and practical activities that develop early scientific understanding.

Children investigate the stages of a butterfly’s life cycle and begin to understand that living things change as they grow. Through minibeast hunts, habitat building and life cycle activities, pupils develop observation skills while exploring the natural world around them.

Lesson includes

• Interactive teaching slides with discussion prompts and key questions
• Complete Reception science lesson plan with vocabulary, misconceptions and assessment opportunities
• Butterfly life cycle worksheet with drawing and recording activities
• Minibeast habitat investigation using natural materials
• Play-based activities linked to growth and change

Explore growth and change in the natural world

This lesson encourages pupils to observe living things closely, ask questions and discuss how animals change throughout their lives. Through practical exploration and discussion, children develop early scientific enquiry skills while building knowledge of life cycles and habitats.

Explore more resources from our Reception Animals and Their Habitats unit, including lesson packs, assessments and knowledge organisers.

Looking for complete curriculum coverage? Explore our EYFS Science Scheme, which includes lesson packs, assessments, knowledge organisers and teaching resources covering the full Reception science curriculum.