Our Friend the Bee

As the weather has gotten colder, and summer has faded into fall, we have been keen on observing and noticing all the changes in nature around us. While walking back to the space after lunch and outdoor play, we had noticed some bumblebees, dancing on the flowers one day when the weather was warmer. We stopped to look at them; they were very busy and determined in their task. I explained to the kids the importance of bees in our food cycle and that they in fact were dancing for a cause! The bees were busy as they were pollinating the flowers. As the weeks passed, we saw less of our bumble bee friends, and especially since the cooler fall weather was approaching, the kids and I began to discuss that at the end of certain seasons, such as summer, many plants have their growing season come to an end. I also explained that in many places, bee populations are declining, at times for unknown reasons, and that we need to do our part as consumers of food and flowers we need to be aware of the very important role that bees play in our food production.

We thought that was the end of the bumblebees for the season, but then, one day when it was fairly cool out, we saw one! We were so excited and curious. The bumblebee was on the side walk, slowly moving. We weren't sure if it was tired, or sleeping, or just taking a break; but his activity, or rather inactivity, had us very curious and coming up with many scenarios as to why this was happening. We had agreed that the bee must have been taking a rest because it was still moving. Unfortunately, a few days later, we found what we believe is the same bee, to be deceased very close to the spot we had seen it earlier in the week. Perhaps it was the cold, or the footprint of a passerby, we aren't sure. But bee watching and discussion has definitely been a high point.

We are lucky to have seen these bees, because what they do for us connected so well to our fall themes at the playschool. This is a topic we will definitely be exploring more of.