Butterfly arts and crafts projects can begin with a sheet of paper containing a black-and-white outline of a butterfly, leaving it up to preschoolers to color the blank spaces. A butterfly finger puppet is another option, using materials like rubber foam sheets, glue, colored stickers and pipe cleaners -- all of which will probably require the assistance of a teacher.
Although not as colorful as butterflies, caterpillars are good ideas for projects, too. The caterpillar's long shape is actually not as complex as the winged butterfly, making it simpler for preschoolers to complete. A related project uses polystyrene balls that teachers cut in half and children color. Lining the balls in a row provides a colorful result.
Butterfly and caterpillar-related poems help in developing preschoolers' oral skills. Two examples are "Fuzzy Wuzzy, Creepy Crawly" and "Caterpillar," which contain promises of becoming butterflies. An amusing poem that is strictly about the beauty and flying abilities of butterflies is "Flutterby."
Teachers can either encourage preschoolers to read these individually in front of the class or as part of a group activity. Also, the teacher can read to the class while the children act out the poem's words. For "flying," they can flap their arms like wings, or crawl on the ground to emulate caterpillars.
The transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly is a crucial stage in this insect's life. One way to demonstrate the life cycle is to observe caterpillars and butterflies. Lesson plans can involve going outdoors to capture caterpillars or butterflies and reading related books -- such as Eric Carle's "The Very Hungry Caterpillar."
Another activity is to provide each student with four pieces of paper, each with the four stages of the life cycle: eggs, caterpillar, chrysalis and butterfly. Then, have them place them in the correct order.