This simple science exploration helps your child understand why there is a daytime and nighttime. With just a model earth and a flashlight, you can help your preschooler understand where we are on the globe, and when we’re facing the sun and when we’re not.
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Right around 4-years-old, my son hit a massive sleep regression, where he was going to bed super late, and waking up at the crack of dawn. One of his favorite things to do as he bounced around in my bed before I had even opened my eyes, was ask me random deep questions that I don’t always have an easy answer for.
My favorite so far has been “where does wind come from?”
Oh, man. I actually had to do a bit of Googling to explain that one, and by the time I knew the answer, he wasn’t as intrigued Figures. Well, I’ll be prepared for that question for the rest of the kids.
Another such question was the age-old “why is there night?”
Where does the sun go? Why does the moon come out at night? (He was also very confused why he was able to see the moon and the sun at the same time lately. Talk about big concepts!)
I knew a small model earth and a flashlight would do the trick. We’d already been delving into the topic of the planets revolving around the sun, but it’s a big idea to simplify down for such a young age.
My husband made this little earth on one of the Styrofoam balls from this set from Amazon. We used the earth and a flashlight to show my son how sometimes our continent is facing away from the sun, which is when night happens!
WHILE YOU’RE PLANNING YOUR SPACE THEME:
- Check out my Space Unit here. (Use code SPACE25 for 25% off) If you join my Preschool Program Membership, you’ll get a major discount on all past Unit Studies, and 2 brand new units included each month!
- Here are 25 Space Activities for your Preschooler’s Space theme!
- Here’s a list of Space Books for Toddlers & Preschoolers
- Here are 25 Space Crafts for your Preschooler
- Here’s a list of 16 Fun & Delicious Space-Themed Snacks for your Kids
- Here are some fun Space Facts for Kids
- Solar System in Motion Song for Preschoolers
Space Activities & Crafts We’ve Done at the Moore Homestead:
- Planet Suncatchers
- Planet Puppets Printable
- Fizzing Planets
- Moon Rock Exploration (with Printable Worksheet)
- Asteroid Toss Activity for Toddlers & Preschoolers
- I-Spy Space Busy Bag (with Printable)
- Rocket Name Building Activity
- Edible Constellations Activity
- Space Playdough Invitation to Play
- Space Sensory Bin
- Solar System Match Worksheet Set
- Paper Plate Planets Craft
- Moon Observation Journal Astronomy Study for Kids
- Telescope Craft for Preschoolers
- Moon Phases Oreo Worksheet for Preschoolers
- Smash the Moon Rocks Activity
- Space Coloring Book for Preschoolers
- Astronaut Dramatic Play Station (+ Printable Bundle)
What Makes Night Science Exploration for Preschoolers
Is your child interested in how night happens?
There is a really good Storybots episode about this topic, and also a Blues Clues episode! My son loved both.
This science study on why night happens is simple but important. The best way to go about this conversation is through the use of media, or physically showing your child somehow. It’s just too big of an idea to simply discuss.
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