How to Explain the Four Seasons of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter to a Child

Children are often curious about how things work and why things happen. Many times children notice the differences in climate and activities in each season and ask questions such as, "What are different seasons?" and "Why do we have difference seasons?" As a parent or educator, you can explain the four seasons to a child in many ways, and teaching a child about spring, summer, fall and winter can be fun for everyone.

Step 1

Explain to the child that there are four seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter. Ask him to tell you what he knows about each season; this is a good way to engage conversation and promote learning.

Step 2

Talk about the differences in weather for each season. Explain that the weather changes because the Earth is tilted and revolves around the sun. Keep it simple when explaining the seasons to younger children but give a more detailed explanation to older children.

Step 3

Discuss how the seasonal weather changes affect activities, clothing and the appearance of the outdoors. Ask the child to describe what you might wear in the winter that you would not wear in the summer, what sports can be played in each season and how fall looks different from summer.

Step 4

Have the child read a book or read a book to her about the four seasons such as "The Reasons for Seasons" by Gail Gibbons, "The Four Seasons" by Mary Rius or "Four Seasons Make a Year" by Anne Rockwell.

Step 5

Complete an activity related to the four seasons such as sorting clothing by which season it would be worn in or having the child draw a picture of a tree as it would look in the spring, summer, fall and winter.

Step 6

Allow the child to ask you any questions she has about the four seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter. Provide older children the chance to explore seasons on their own using a computer, additional books or projects.