In this life science unit children are introduced to the concept of life cycle through the investigation of familiar animals. They explore a variety of young/offspring and their parents, such as dog/puppy, cat/kitten, and bird/chick. Children recognize that animals change as they mature. They identify and describe the characteristics of each and discover that these characteristics are passed on. Children identify and describe the similarities between parents and their young/offspring, noting that, for example, young beagles are born to beagles, not to Dalmatians. They learn that the egg is the first stage of an animal. Children begin to recognize that animals have predictable life cycles. They examine the differences among certain animal life cycles and how these differences allow the individual to survive. Children discover that familiar animals and plants in their local environment need each of the following for proper growth: water, light, air, shelter and nutrients/minerals.  They also learn that the sun is the most important source of energy for these familiar organisms, affecting the growth of both plants and animals on earth’s surface.