A year has four seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter. They come in the same order every year. After winter, spring comes again.
Real photo
Warm and cool seasons
In spring the weather warms up and flowers bloom. Summer is often the hottest, with long days. In fall, many leaves change color and drop. Winter is cold, and in many places it snows.
Earth leans as it travels
Earth goes around the Sun once a year. Earth is tilted, like a leaning top. For part of the year, our half leans toward the Sun. Then it is summer here. Later it leans away. Then it is winter.
Real photo
Why summer is warm
Leaning toward the Sun gives long days and a high Sun. The sunlight feels strong and warm. Leaning away gives short days and a low Sun. Earth is not closer to the Sun in summer. The tilt makes the seasons.
United Statessummer in JulyAustraliawinter in July
Opposite seasons
The two halves of Earth lean opposite ways. Summer in the United States means winter in Australia. When we have winter, they have summer.
For parents
Goal: Your child learns the four seasons in order, what each one is like, and that Earth's tilt causes them.
Ask: what season is it now? What season comes next?
Ask: what do you like to do in this season?
Notice together when it gets dark and talk about short and long days.
If your child says summer is hot because we are closer to the Sun, tilt a ball toward a lamp and show the lean instead.
Away from the screen: Fold a sheet of paper into four boxes. Have your child draw the same tree in spring, summer, fall and winter, in order.
Real photo
Real photo