Our Early Childhood Education Head Start Home-Based program recently partnered with Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster to bring a hands-on learning experience directly to the children and families we serve.
Catholic Charities’ ECE Home-Based program provides early childhood education and family support through personalized visits in the home. Teachers partner closely with parents, offering guidance, activities and resources that support each child’s development and school readiness. By focusing on the parent-child relationship, the program helps caregivers build confidence as their child’s first and most important teacher, turning everyday routines into meaningful learning opportunities.
In the weeks leading up to the visit, our teachers worked with families to build excitement and understanding. Children read books about butterflies, explored insect life cycles and took part in a “Very Hungry Caterpillar” taste test—connecting stories to real-life experiences in a simple, engaging way.
Butterfly Pavilion is a local nonprofit dedicated to inspiring a love of invertebrates through hands-on learning and interactive experiences. Known for its living exhibits and education programs, the organization helps children and families explore the important role insects and other small creatures play in our world. Through engaging, up-close encounters, Butterfly Pavilion sparks curiosity, builds confidence and makes science accessible and memorable for learners of all ages.
When Butterfly Pavilion visited, children had the chance to see and interact with butterflies, spiders and other insects up close. Some came dressed for the occasion, proudly wearing butterfly shirts that reflected just how excited they were for the experience. For many, it was their first time encountering these creatures beyond a book.
After the visit, the learning continued with arts and crafts activities, where children created their own butterflies. This gave them a chance to reflect on what they had seen while expressing their creativity, reinforcing the experience in a hands-on and age-appropriate way.
This experience is a strong example of how the Catholic Charities Home-Based program supports learning. By meeting families where they are and involving parents every step of the way, children are able to explore new concepts in a setting where they feel comfortable and supported.
We’re grateful to Butterfly Pavilion for helping make this experience possible and for giving our children the opportunity to explore, ask questions, and learn in a meaningful, hands-on way.