C Curriculum Explorer
Science·Space Systems & Earth's History·conceptual

Why seasons change

Make observations at different times of year to relate the amount of daylight to the time of year, noticing longer days in summer and shorter days in winter

Suggested ages 5–7

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Learning journey

Your child is discovering how daylight changes throughout the year by observing that days are longer in summer and shorter in winter.

Evidence of understanding

  • Describe the pattern: more daylight hours in summer, fewer in winter
  • Compare sunrise/sunset times at different points in the year
  • Relate amount of daylight to seasonal changes in weather and nature

Assessment prompt

Has Why seasons change noticed that it's still light at bedtime in summer but dark much earlier in winter, and can they explain this pattern?

Standards alignment

1-ESS1-2US · ngss-k5

1-ESS1-2

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) K-5

Y1.Sci.SC.2GB · uk-nc-2013

Observe and describe seasonal weather and day length

The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 1