Why do leaves change color in the autumn season?

Leaves change color in autumn because the tree slows down its food-making process.

During spring and summer, leaves are green because they have a special helper called chlorophyll, which helps them make food using sunlight. It’s like having a super-friend who works all day long to keep the leaf healthy and strong.

But in autumn, days get shorter and cooler, so the tree says, “Okay, it’s time to rest.” The tree starts to take away its chlorophyll helper from the leaves. Without that green friend, other colors, like yellow, orange, and even red, start to show up because they were always there but just hidden under the green.

Once the leaf loses all its helpers, it gets a little tired and falls off the tree, ready for winter. It’s like taking off your favorite jacket after a long day, you’re ready for something new!

So next time you see a beautiful red or yellow leaf, remember: it’s just showing off the colors it had all along!