How do I explain my six year old why seasons in the N. hemisphere are different from the S. hemisphere?

Question

She has one uncle that lives in Japan and one that lives in S. Africa. I need a simplified explanation of this.

Answer 1

We're not neccessarily closer to the sun in summer (only the northern hemisphere is closer during summer, the southern hemisphere is actually farther away during their summer). The seasons are caused by the tilt of the earth in relation to the sun. When the northern hemisphere is in summer, the earth points towards to the sun and most of the sun's energy hits the northern part of the eart. In winter, our side of the earth is pointing away from the sun, so we don't get as much energy (in fact, the poles do not see the sun at all during winter). Show the sun and point your hand at about 23 degrees from straight up. Whichever part of your hand (the top or bottom) which is pointing to the sun is having summer and other is having winter. Nice to see a partne getting involved with teaching their child.

Answer 2

Probably the easiest thing you can do is explain that the whole Earth is tilted on it's axis. Then get a flashlight (this will be your sun) and a ball (this will be your Earth.) Draw a line on the ball to represent the equator and tape a pencil or something to the top to represent the north pole. Then just do a little demonstration to show that as the Earth goes around the sun, the sun shines unequally on different parts of the Earth. (This is also why days are shorter in winter.)

Also remember that Earth is closest from the sun during the North Hemisphere's winter.

Answer 3

thatdangamber is incorrect and Patrick S is correct.

It all has to do with the tilt. Just as the heat that we get from the sun is hottest at midday and cooler in the morning and evening, when the sun's rays strike at a steep angle in the summer (like midday) we are warmer than when the sun's rays strike at a low angle in the winter (like morning or evening)

Answer 4

Just tell them that it has to do with how close the earth is to the sun. like in summer, you're closer to the sun. (much like if you stand close to a heater, you're warm) like in winter, you're further away from the sun (much like life you stand far away from a heater, you're cold.)

Answer 5

leave that to the school he goes too.

Answer 6

i agree with miral