As I mentioned in a previous post, everyone goes through seasons in life – and that includes toddlers! For toddlers, we’re talking about the impact of seasons in their literal sense (summer, winter, spring, and autumn/fall) in their young lives. In this blog, we’ll explore some activities for each season of the year and take a look at how each of the four seasons impacts young children.
My Experience
In our family, my husband and I balance being an indoor and outdoor parent. Can you guess who loves the outdoors? Yep, it’s me! As our children grow, I’ve noticed that no matter the season, they love being outside. The moment we step out the door, they’re off running! For them, I suppose the outdoors means space to explore, fresh air, and endless freedom.
Each season brings its own joys and challenges. For example, during the warm summer months, we enjoy long walks to the park, water play, and plenty of ice cream. When winter arrives, we bundle up for cozy activities like hot drinks, snowman building, and even snowball fights if we’re lucky enough to get snow.
Autumn brings the beauty of brightly coloured leaves. One of our favourite activities is leaf rubbing, where we capture the leaf’s texture on paper. I learned this activity from my Montessori experience. In the spring, the world seems to come alive again. My kids love picking flowers, learning their colours, and soaking in the fresh blooms.
Every season offers something special, and I’ve learned that kids thrive when they experience a variety of activities year-round. Let’s dive into how the changing seasons can benefit a child’s development!
8 Ways to How Seasons Benefit a Young Child’s Development
Research shows that seasons can have a significant impact on a child’s early development. According to Eyworks, (2024) here’s how:
1. Sensory Stimulation: Each season brings new sights, sounds, smells, and textures. These experiences enhance a child’s sensory processing skills, helping them make sense of the world around them.
2. Cognitive Development: Watching the seasons change helps kids develop cognitive skills like recognizing patterns, comparing differences, and categorizing things. This is essential for building critical thinking skills.
3. Language Development: Talking with your child about the weather, seasons, and the changes they observe helps expand their vocabulary and improves their ability to express themselves.
4. Emotional Well-Being: Time spent outside and experiencing the natural world can lower stress and improve emotional health. Nature has a calming effect that’s beneficial for both children and adults!
5. Adaptability and Resilience: Experiencing the shifting seasons helps children learn to adapt to change, building resilience and an understanding of life’s natural cycles.
6. Environmental Awareness: Observing how nature transforms throughout the year fosters an early appreciation for the environment. Kids begin to understand the importance of taking care of the world around them.
7. Cultural Understanding: Different seasons bring with them a variety of holidays, traditions, and cultural celebrations. Learning about these helps children become more aware of different cultures and traditions around the world.
8. Curiosity and Inquiry: Seasonal changes often spark children’s natural curiosity, prompting them to ask questions and explore. This nurtures their inquiry skills and fuels a lifelong love of learning.
Conclusion
Each season brings its own set of unique benefits for young children. By encouraging your children to embrace the changing world around them, you’re helping them grow in so many ways. Expose them to different seasonal activities – from sensory development to emotional resilience and even cultural awareness. As your child explores the beauty of each season, you may even discover which season they love the most! Take a moment to observe how they respond to the changing weather. Do they light up in the summer sunshine, or get excited about winter snow or other? You’ll be amazed at the joy and growth they experience year-round.
Action Point
What do you think is your little one’s favourite season, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments – we’d love to hear about their seasonal favourites!
Reference
Eyworks. March 14, 2024. Exploring Seasons in Early Years Setting. Accessed on 10 October 2024. Available at: https://www.eyworks.co.uk/blog/exploring-seasons-in-early-years-settings/
Thanks Ani! Wow a wealth of information. I’d never seen the seasonal changes from any of these angles. I would bridle my tongue and not complain about the cold anymore. I think my littles for now love all seasons equally but I will be sure to ask and observe.
Points taken, message excellent delivered.
My pleasure! Thank you for engaging here Aita! 🙂 xoxo