Earth and Space
for kids
Earth & Space for kids at Primary School EYFS, KS1 & KS2. Science homework help. Learn about planets, the solar system, day & night, space travel.
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Parents guide to learning about Earth and Space in Primary School
Space is an exciting topic for children, full of planets, stars, the Moon, and ideas about life beyond Earth. At school, children explore Earth, the Sun, the Moon, and the solar system, gradually building their understanding as they move through primary school. Here’s an overview of what children learn at each stage and how you can help at home.
Year 1 & 2: Discovering the sky above
What your child will learn:
- The Sun, Earth, and Moon and their basic roles.
- That the Sun gives us light and warmth.
- Simple facts about planets.
- That the Moon appears to change shape.
How to support learning:
- Go outside together during the day and night to spot the Sun and Moon.
- Talk about day and night and ask them why they think it happens.
- Use simple books, apps, or videos about the solar system to explore planets.
- Encourage curiosity: “What do you notice about the Moon tonight?”
Fun at home:
- Draw a picture of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
- Make a simple Moon phases calendar.
Go to our Earth and Space Year 1 & 2 page.
Year 3 & 4: Exploring the solar system and space travel
What your child will learn:
- Day and night and why they happen.
- The phases of the Moon in more detail.
- Our solar system, including the planets and their order.
- How humans explore space using rockets, satellites, and the International Space Station (ISS).
How to support learning:
- Watch the night sky together and talk about what you see.
- Use online tools or apps to find the ISS when it passes overhead.
- Discuss how astronauts live and work in space—microgravity, experiments, and space stations.
- Read stories about space exploration and scientific missions to the Moon or Mars.
Fun at home:
- Make a simple model of the solar system using balls or paper cutouts.
- Track the Moon’s phases for a month and notice patterns.
- Look for planets that are visible without a telescope.
Go to our Earth and Space Year 3 & 4 page.
Year 5 & 6: Understanding orbits, gravity, and the universe
What your child will learn:
- The Sun, Earth, and Moon are spherical bodies and how they move.
- How Earth rotates to create day and night.
- How planets orbit the Sun and how gravity affects motion in space.
- The Moon’s orbit and phases, and the effects of gravity on tides.
- Comparing the size and distance of objects in space.
- Life on other planets and how scientists search for it.
- Observing space from Earth and using telescopes and satellites.
How to support learning:
- Talk about gravity and why we don’t float off Earth.
- Encourage them to research planets, moons, and stars.
- Discuss how telescopes and satellites help scientists learn about space.
- Ask questions like “Why does the Moon appear to change shape?” or “What would life need to survive on another planet?”
Fun at home:
- Build a model of the Earth-Sun-Moon system to show day, night, and lunar phases.
- Use online star maps to identify planets and constellations.
- Watch documentaries about space exploration and discuss the discoveries.
Tips for parents across all ages
- Courage curiosity: Ask open questions like “What do you notice in the sky?” or “Why do you think that happens?”
- Connect learning to everyday life: Relate the Sun, Moon, and Earth to daily routines like sunrise, sunset, and tides.
- Use hands-on activities: Models, experiments, and drawings help children understand abstract concepts like orbits and rotation.
- Watch and read together: There are many age-appropriate documentaries, books, and online resources that make space exciting.
- Celebrate discoveries: Let children share what they learned about planets, stars, and the Moon—they retain information better when they explain it.
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