Introduction
Understanding how the seasons change - how time passes, how it affects the world around us and how we can make the most of it - is a wonderful topic to explore with children. But where to begin?
How CBeebies can help
Try watching an episode of Mr Bloom’s Nursery or Big City Park with your child and get inspiration as each new season arrives. There are also online games and activities linked to the shows which carry on the fun of learning about the seasons and the world around us.
For most of us, it’s always a sigh of relief when spring arrives. It’s time to get out and about and explore nature – e.g. the bulbs, blossom and young animals. You could plant seeds in a small box on a window sill, or you could have a go at Mr Bloom’s Cress Heads Make by sprinkling some cress seeds in an old yoghurt pot.
Then as summer arrives, it’s time to learn about mini beasts and all the other wildlife around us. Click through to the Green Balloon Club pages for some inspiration.
As the days get longer, why not learn about autumn by collecting leaves, seeds and nuts together - naming the trees as you go - and you could make a scrapbook when you get home (something to do in the warmth of your own home). You could also have fun playing the Giggleswick Park game on the CBeebies website, which involves helping a squirrel to collect acorns in time for winter.
And when it’s cold and frosty outside, look for opportunities to get into the science of water changing into ice - children always find this fascinating. Have a look at the Hot and Cold activity (which involves melting ice) on the Nina And The Neurons pages on the CBeebies website.
You could also try talking through the water cycle or making a weather chart together. And don’t forget to check out the My CBeebies Garden game, where you can explore above and below ground and change the seasons and weather.
How to make a magic moment
There’s sure to be an ‘a-ha!’ moment when your child clicks that the year is divided into seasons - and that with the onset of each season, there are opportunities to explore the wonders of the world around them. Encouraging your little one to wrap up warm and face the cold can ensure that whatever the weather they have something to do.
You could also get cracking on learning all those weather-related words by writing them on ‘paper leaves’ on a newly-created cardboard tree. A great way to learn!
