Earth spins like a top
Earth is always spinning, but we cannot feel it. One full spin takes one day. Spin Earth below and watch the little house.
Day: our side faces the Sun Night: our side faces away Facing the Sun makes day
The Sun lights the side of Earth that faces it. That side has day. The other side faces away, so it has night. As Earth spins, your home moves from day to night.
Real photoDay here, night far away
When it is day in America, it is night far away. That place is on the other side of Earth. Half of Earth always has day. The other half has night.
Real photoThe Sun only seems to move
The Sun does not go around Earth. Earth spins, so the Sun seems to cross the sky. It rises in the east and is high at noon. It sets in the west. Stars seem to move at night for the same reason.
For parents
Goal: Your child learns that Earth spins once a day, and that this makes day and night.
- Ask: is the Sun really moving, or are we?
- Watch the sunrise or sunset together and say which way is east or west.
- Ask: if it is day here, what time is it on the other side of Earth?
Away from the screen: In a dark room, shine a flashlight on a ball or an orange. Put a sticker on it for your home, then turn it slowly and watch the sticker go from day to night.