Posted on 03/20/2025 7:45:15 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
If you think the son/niece/grandchild in your life is sprouting before your eyes now that the winter clothing has been shed, you're probably not imagining things. Researchers have long studied the connection between seasonal changes and youth growth patterns, with substantial evidence pointing to higher rates of growth among children in the Northern Hemisphere during the spring and summer months.
While we might question results drawn from, say, a 1930 publication, newer research has validated these older findings: A 2015 study of 760 Danish students aged 8 to 11 revealed the most growth recorded around April and May, while a 2022 paper, which tracked the development of thousands of Texas kids from kindergarten to fifth grade, confirmed strong growth rates in spring and early summer.
But while we have the numbers to show that children shoot up like springtime onion stalks, the science is less definitive when it comes to determining why. One possible explanation is that exposure to longer hours of sunlight may stimulate bone growth and hormone regulation.
Other potential factors, which can vary according to location and financial means, include increased access to fresh foods and healthy activities come springtime. Whatever the reasons, the onset of warmer weather should provide a signal to parents that Junior will likely grow out of those pants and shoes sooner rather than later.
Also, While this may seem counterintuitive, given all that frolicking in parks and pools, several studies indeed show that children add the most pounds in summer. So what gives? It may simply be a sign of the technology-fueled times: Instead of chasing after friends, kids nowadays often prefer to engage in video games or other sedentary screen activities when not in school.
Some experts also believe that the lack of a school day structure may be to blame: With children less likely to wake up at a regular hour, and parents less likely to enforce strict bedtimes, the irregular sleep patterns that follow end up disrupting the circadian rhythms that impact eating habits and digestion.
Annual growth rate (in inches) of a prepubescent child: 2.5
I always thought it was summer. After wearing shorts all summer, I would discover that last year’s long pants were too short. Especially in the 13-16 years.
Any farmer could have told you...
“Kids these days…they blow up so fast!”
Achmed the Dead Terrorist
Best part of growing when before teen years you slept a lot.
Sometimes any place sofa floor bed.....................
As any parent who’s had to keep their kids in long pants knows.
Yeah, right. Yah know that story you Mommy told you to explain your “odd” skin color (i.e., it does not match you or her husband’s)? Well, saying she found you in a cabbage patch just won’t wash.
She didn’t. And, kiddies growth spurts do not have anything to do with sunshine. :)
Water, fertilizer, TLC, and lots of sunshine make your kinder-garden grow. Did I miss anything?
Newsflash:
Fresh air, sunshine, and outdoor socialization are good for kids.
Who knew?
“there will be growth in the spring”- Chauncey Gardiner
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