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How We Learn About Maps for Kids – An Easy Introduction

November 21, 2013 by Sarah 10 Comments

How we learn about maps can be a bit tricky for kids.  The first time I introduced maps in Kindergarten was not successful.  Very – not successful.  But, live and learn and try again!  This is the best way I have found to introduce maps and make mapping meaningful for kids – and it’s tons of fun too!

How we learn about maps for kids

One of the reasons learning about maps for kids can be tricky is because of the visual-spatial skills involved.  Kids have to understand that a certain spot on the map represents another spot in the real world.  A great way to make this a bit easier is to put wee ones into the map!

I chose a space that Sammy was very familiar with to introduce this idea of mapping.  Using painters tape (yep, I know, more painters tape) I made a big, very simple, layout of the main floor of our house.

First I made a big rectangle, and then added lines to make the 3 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, and living room.

Next, I cut out really simple shapes to represent things in our house (and labelled everything with words too).  We had our big couch, beds, Ben’s crib, kitchen table, bathtub and toilet – simple things that could easily be placed.

I then put everything into it’s place on the map and introduced the idea to Sammy.  To introduce this concept of mapping I had Sammy stand inside the map.  He started by the couch and walked to the kitchen table.  Then he came out of the map, and walked it in our real house.  He caught on very quickly, and this was really the only introduction he needed.

How we learn about maps for kids

I let him explore the big map and he was able to find his bedroom, our bedroom, Ben’s bedroom, the bathroom, and the kitchen quite easily.  So we took out all of the paper furniture and Sammy put it all back into the correct spots.

Next we made a little paper doll family.  Well, not so much paper dolls as stick people drawn on folded construction paper …

We had a Mommy, Daddy, Madeline, Sammy, and Baby Ben (who I had to make twice, because the first time he was far to close in size to his BIG brother Sammy … ahem).  Sammy played with this little paper family and used the map like a great big doll house – all the while learning about maps.

how we learn about maps for kids

Learning about maps can be made meaningful and fun – which makes kids learn it easier too.  This activity teaches wee ones all about visual-spatial skills by making the learning hands on.

The next step I used in Kindergarten was giving my wee ones the same map, but smaller and on a clip board, and used a penny ‘person’ to help them navigate.  By using the same map the kids could quickly transfer their learning.

But I think Sammy enjoys using this as a great big 2D dollhouse!  I have already had a request to add in the basement.

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Filed Under: Grade School, Learn, Letters and Numbers, Numbers and Counting, Other Learning Fun Tagged With: mapping, math games, math skills

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Comments

  1. Ann @ My Nearest and Dearest says

    November 23, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    This is such a smart (and fun!) way to help kids understand maps. We’ll have to give it a try.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      November 24, 2013 at 6:37 pm

      So glad you think so Ann!

      Reply
  2. Natalie F says

    November 28, 2013 at 5:22 pm

    Great idea for teaching early mapping skills! Thanks for sharing with Afterschool!

    Reply
  3. Kelly at Little Wonders' Days says

    December 2, 2013 at 6:33 am

    I love this idea!! I’ve featured you at today’s After School Link Party. I’ve put this on my list of activities for the kids to try over winter break. Thanks for sharing!
    Kelly

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      December 3, 2013 at 1:25 pm

      So glad you like the idea Kelly!

      Reply
  4. hadeel abu lafi says

    December 3, 2013 at 3:52 am

    Its amazing strategies.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      December 3, 2013 at 1:23 pm

      Thank you very much Hadeel! So glad you find it useful!

      Reply
  5. Victoria Armijo says

    December 4, 2013 at 7:44 am

    This is just great! Love teaching little one’s early on using a map and it really is a fun idea and concept for them! Thank you for sharing and linking up over at the Thought Spot Weekly Blog Hop! You were chosen as one of my favorites and featured 🙂 Have a great week!

    Reply
  6. Heike says

    January 8, 2016 at 2:58 am

    I just tested this out with my just 4-year-old and she at first wasn’t interested at all. Then I turned it into a treasure hunt (which she currently really loves) – where I placed one toy cup somewhere in our flat and another on the corresponding spot in the map. We played for so long! Each taking turn hiding and searching for the cup. She also introduced the game to her father in the evening explaining to him the layout of the map and how he had to hide things. So fun! She also added symbols to show if the cup was e.g. underneath a table or in a bowl. I’m sure we’ll have this game up for quite a while! Thank you so much for the tip!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      January 8, 2016 at 9:20 am

      Oh I love this idea Heike. We are going to give it a go this afternoon – thank YOU!

      Reply

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