Orla,
I’m curious why you have referred to the rest of the world’s usage of seasons and which months are in which season.
Spring (March to May): Milder temperatures, often wet.
Summer (June to August): Warmest season, but still rainy, average temperature around 15-20°C.
Autumn (September to November): Cooler, frequent rain and wind.
Winter (December to February)
When I moved here it took a bit of doing for me to learn that the first day of spring is St Brigid’s Day in February, but then it made sense that mid-summer is actually the middle of Summer. (so summer starts 1 May).
Weather diaries are suggested in the Science Curriculum for 1st/2nd class, as a topic where observations of gradual change over time can be made:
Skill: Observing: observe gradual changes in living things and familiar objects and events over a period
and observing weather can be linked to Materials in 1st/2nd with
become aware of and investigate the suitability of different kinds of clothes for variations in temperature.
And of course, appear as an explicit activity for Infants in Geography
record weather observations using a weather chart or diary
but the explanations behind ‘why the weather is as it is’ that are suitable for younger classes are much simpler than you have suggested
recognise that some weather patterns are associated with seasonal change and distinguish between summer and winter
In 5th and 6th class children would start to look at meteorological symbols and factors that influence weather patterns in Ireland.