Why do we shiver when we're cold?
We shiver because shaking muscles make heat to warm us up.
Pip’s answer
- We shiver because shaking muscles make heat to warm us up.
- Your muscles wiggle super fast, all by themselves. Brrr!
- All that wiggling makes warmth, just like when you run and play.
- Wow-ee, your body is its own little heater!
Try it together
Can you do a big brrr shiver, like you're chilly?
For grown-ups
Shivering is fast, automatic tightening and relaxing of muscles. That muscle activity produces heat, helping keep the body's core warm. It's one of several ways the body protects its temperature, along with narrowing blood vessels in the skin.
Ask your child: What helps you warm up fastest on a cold day?
More questions kids ask
- 🦢Why do we get goosebumps?
- 💦Why do we sweat?
- ❄️Why is it cold in winter?
- ❤️Why does my heart beat?
- 😴Why do we need to sleep?
- 🥱Why do we yawn?
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