In many ways, patience is the foundation for learning. A patient reader is an engaged reader. A patient listener soaks up knowledge. And a patient speaker expresses ideas with empathy and compassion for their classmates. But playing the waiting game can be difficult for early learners—that’s why it’s so important to show students just how important being patient really is. Here are three books and activities to help students realize that good things really do come to those who wait!
The Very Impatient Caterpillar + Butterfly Garden Party
When it comes to learning patience, caterpillars are some of the world’s best teachers—impatient ones, especially. In this silly story about a bored caterpillar waiting to become a butterfly, your students will witness just how rewarding—and beautiful—patience really is.
After reading, gather your students together to build a classroom butterfly garden. Discuss what foods caterpillars eat and brainstorm plants and flowers to grow. Create a timeline for students, as well as a list of things you’ll need for prep and planting. For the remainder of the school year, devote time each week to tending the garden and observing the life cycle of the butterflies, making sure to invite your students back to the classroom after summer break to see how their butterfly garden has blossomed!
Gus Grows a Plant + Seedling Science Project
Just in time for your spring STEM lessons, Gus Grows a Plant is the perfect book to pair teaching patience with the science behind plant growth. With this easy-to-read book, your young readers will learn about digging, planting, watering, and most importantly, waiting.
Dive a little deeper into the life cycle of plants and patience by choosing a few plant and flower seeds for your students to grow and cultivate. Find a sunny place in your room to place your seed tray and encourage your little gardeners to plant away! From seed to spout to flower, this hands-on project is a wonderful way to teach you students how to win the waiting game.
I’ll Wait, Mr. Panda + Sweet Science of Baking Activity
In this sweet tale about the rewards of patience, Mr. Panda is cooking up something delicious, and all his animal friends except the penguin can’t—and won’t—wait to find out what!
After reading, cook up something sweet for your students! Spend time working with students on measurements, number recognition, and the science behind how all the ingredients work together to create something so delicious. Set a timer and while it’s baking return to the lessons learned from Mr. Panda. Before they know it, your young bakers will be digging into their tasty treat!
One of the most effective ways to teach students patience is to encourage them to practice it. With these books and activities, you’ll warm them up to the idea that all good things really do come to those that wait! For more essential character-building resources, check out these books and activities to inspire kindness in the classroom.
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