Kids Grow Faster in the Spring

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.

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.