In-Naħla Katerina Activity Plan for Educators and Parents

The Maltese Honey Bee (Apis mellifera ruttneri) is Malta’s national insect and a vital part of our natural environment. Educating children about this remarkable pollinator helps foster an early appreciation of biodiversity and environmental responsibility. This activity plan is designed for educators and parents to engage children aged 4 to 8 through storytelling, music, arts, and outdoor exploration.

Quick Activity List

Read the eBook: Share A Day in the Life of Katerina the Bee with the children.
Group Discussion: Ask questions about the story and bee importance. Check our presentation!
Listen and Sing Along: Play In-Naħla Katerina, Festin għad-Dakkara & In-Naħla u Sħabha and encourage singing.
Movement Activity: Imitate bee wing fluttering and dance.
Karaoke Sessions: Use karaoke versions to encourage participation.
Arts and Crafts: Draw In-Naħla Katerina or make paper bees and flower collages.
Nature Walk: Observe bees and flowers outdoors; keep an observation journal.
Reflection Time: Discuss what was learned and how to protect bees.
Community Sharing: Display artwork and share photos/videos responsibly.

Introducing the Maltese Honey Bee

Start by introducing children to the Maltese Honey Bee and its importance to Malta’s ecosystems. The story A Day in the Life of Katerina the Bee is a wonderful resource. This beautifully illustrated eBook follows In-Naħla Katerina, the project mascot, as she goes about her day pollinating flowers and supporting the environment.

Reading the eBook aloud allows children to become familiar with the bee’s habits and challenges. After the storytelling, encourage discussion with questions such as: “What did Katerina do during her day?” and “Why are bees important to our environment?” This helps reinforce understanding and encourages children to think about how they can protect bees.

Illustration of a smiling queen bee with a crown surrounded by smaller cartoon bees on a flower-decorated background, featuring text that reads, 'The queen smiled. The bees had done a good job. They were ready to rest.'

Illustration of Katerina the bee flying in the sky, surrounded by clouds and flowers with text about her love for Malta.

Learning Through Music and Movement

Music is a powerful learning tool. The songs In-Naħla Katerina, Festin għad-Dakkara & In-Naħla u Sħabha bring Katerina’s story to life with catchy rhythms and lyrics. Playing the song encourages children to sing along and learn about the bee’s role.

Adding movement, such as fluttering arms to mimic wings or dancing to the beat, helps children connect physically with the topic, making learning fun and memorable.

Karaoke versions of the songs are also available, enabling children to actively participate and build confidence.

Encouraging Creativity with Arts and Crafts

Creative activities further engage children. Provide drawing materials and invite them to illustrate scenes from the story or imagine the bee’s natural habitat.

Craft projects like making paper bees or flower collages reinforce the concepts of pollination and nature’s interconnectedness, while allowing children to express themselves artistically.

A cartoon illustration of a smiling bee with large wings, colored in black and yellow, depicted in a playful style against a decorative border.

A cartoon illustration of a queen bee with a crown, large expressive eyes, and wings, surrounded by a decorative border.

A cartoon-style illustration of a smiling bee with big eyes and wings, framed with decorative lines.

A cartoon illustration of a cheerful honey bee wearing a backpack and yellow rain boots, with large eyes and expressive features.

Cartoon illustration of a smiling bee wearing a golden crown, with large wings and prominent black and brown stripes.

A cartoon illustration of a happy bee with large eyes, brown body, and light blue wings.

Interactive and Digital Resources

To enhance learning, interactive versions of the A Day in the Life of Katerina the Bee eBook include animations and clickable elements that bring the story alive.

Additional educational materials are available on the Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee website, offering support for educators and parents.

Illustration featuring the Maltese Honey Bee carrying pollen, with text explaining its role in helping plants produce seeds and grow fruit. The design includes colorful images of fruits like kiwi and pomegranate, and honeycomb patterns in the background.

Illustration of cartoon bees with a beehive, featuring a queen bee and text about their home.

Connecting with Nature: Outdoor Exploration

If possible, organise a nature walk in the school garden or a local park. Observing bees and pollinators in their natural environment helps children connect theory with real life.

Encourage children to keep a simple observation journal, noting flowers and any pollinator activity. This nurtures curiosity and a personal connection with nature.

A Maltese Honey Bee hovering above white flowers, showcasing its role as a pollinator in the natural environment.

A Maltese honey bee, _Apis mellifera ruttneri_, collecting nectar from small white flowers in a green field.

A Maltese Honey Bee resting on vibrant purple flowers, collecting pollen.

Reflection and Sharing

Conclude activities with a group discussion to consolidate learning. Ask children why bees are important and what they can do to help protect them.

Creating a display of children’s artwork and observations allows sharing achievements with the wider community. Photos and videos can be shared on social media to raise awareness about the Maltese Honey Bee. We also encourage you to capture these moments and send them to the Foundation at nahlamaltija@gmail.com for publishing and wider promotion.

To stay up to date with the Foundation’s work, we warmly invite you to join our WhatsApp community. The smooth functioning of our organisation relies on financial resources, and your support is essential. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a real difference in advancing our mission. You can help by joining the Foundation’s cause, become a supporter for just €10 a year or make a donation here: Support the Foundation.