Today marks the Spring Equinox here in the UK — a brilliant opportunity for early years educators to explore a big science concept in a way that feels exciting, seasonal and meaningful for young children.
For inquisitive little minds that love asking “Why?”, the Spring Equinox is the perfect talking point. It links beautifully with nature walks, weather observations, light and dark, seasonal change, and even creative play.
What is the Spring Equinox?
The Spring Equinox happens when day and night are almost the same length. After this point, the days begin to feel longer, the weather gradually becomes warmer, and we start to notice more signs of spring appearing outdoors.
It’s often described as the moment when spring officially begins — and it’s a wonderful way to help children connect time, nature and the world around them.
Why do the seasons change?
Seasons change because the Earth is tilted and it travels around the Sun. As the Earth moves through the year, different parts of the world receive different amounts of sunlight.
In the UK, spring begins when we start getting more daylight and slightly stronger sunshine — which is why we see changes like blossoms on trees, new leaves growing and more insects and birds returning.
Why does Spring feel different?
Children often notice the changes before we even mention them. Spring feels different because:
- The days are lighter for longer
- The weather starts to warm up
- Plants begin to grow again
- More animals become active outdoors
- We hear more birdsong and see more life in nature
These are powerful real-life observations that help children build early scientific thinking — through experience, not worksheets.
