Giving Children a Sense of Geography

Get a Glimpse of the Big Picture

   “Where do I live? Can you show me?”  

Map activities give young children a glimpse into the big picture of the world and where they live. It introduces maps and how to use them to find areas we find interesting or want to visit. 
You’ll need Google Maps Apps or paper maps from the local Chamber of Commerce or tourist center.

   Using maps of your local area locate children’s streets and some familiar sites like the library, grocery stores, parks, and museums. 

   Explain to children that that they live on this street, in their city. The next time they travel by car or walk to the park, show them their address number on their house, follow the map and route. You can program Google Maps to help you walk the route. Just follow the dots.  You can also compare the paper map with the Google Maps App. 

Google Maps or Any Maps Show WHERE

Another day bring out the state map or App and show children their area on that map. Using the state map, look for some sites they may have visited like lakes, rivers, and homes of relatives.  Children can help follow the paper map or App travel route on the next trip. They’ll have fun listening to the phone voice giving directions.

  Families can practice memorizing their street address, city, and state and talk about using Google Maps and finding different views.  The bird’s eye view is really fun for kids.  They can zoom in closer and closer on

 the App until they can see their roof top and even cars in the driveway.

   What does their favorite park look like from high above the trees? How does Google make these maps? Ask Google or You Tube the question.  There are great map explanations on line.

  Using a US map or Google Earth App point out a few places children may be curious about like Disney World, Washington D.C., mountain areas, rivers, and Great Lakes.  They can go to these sites and zoom in.

Get a Bird's Eye View

  Libraries have globes to show children that the earth is not flat like a map. Cheap blow up beach ball globes are also available on-line.

  Show children where Santa lives and the route he must take to their house. The North Pole can help children hold the globe correctly to find and name continents and countries.

  Interesting geography reading books for young children include David Scillian’s books, “P is for Passport: A World Alphabet” and “A is for America: An American Alphabet”; alphabet books for every state and for some countries. 

  The next time you’re playing in the sandbox with the kids  make a map of geographic features like mountains, rivers. islands, and peninsulas. For more see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com and wnmufm.org/Learning Through the Seasons live and pod casts, Facebook, and You Tube.
Photo: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos
Maps: Google

Keeping Children Safe in Summer

Summer Opportunities for Play

Summer has arrived!  Now there are many new opportunities for kids to enjoy outdoor play.  In your backyard, at the playground, or on walks in the woods, there are things to explore and challenges to meet. Although families can’t wrap children in giant protective cotton balls, there are some tips that will help keep young children safe and ease your mind.

1.Most importantly, toddlers and other young children need to be supervised at all times.

2.Be sure to dress for the weather and conditions.  Boots and umbrellas can be a lot of fun.

3.As the weather gets hotter, keep kids hydrated with handy water bottles for frequent drinks. 

4.In any type of weather, children should not be left alone in a vehicle.  Dangerous overheating can happen very quickly.

5.Talk with your pediatrician about the safe use of sunscreen and insect repellant for your child and allergies to insect bites.

6.Check your backyard and other play areas for trash, glass, sharp objects and animal waste.

7.Set up safety expectations with

Setup Your Safety Expectations

 your children and be consistent.  Example: “We always wear our helmets when we ride bikes.  We never play in or near the street.   We always hold a hand when we are in a parking lot or crossing the street. Stop. Look and Listen.”

8.In the car:  Establish safe routines which includes always using approved car seats and seat buckles.  Keep windows partially closed and doors locked in the backseat.

9.Near the water:  Never let young children play without supervision near pools, tubs or bodies of water.  Pool areas near the house should always be fenced and properly closed.

10.  At the playground: Be sure swings are made of soft material and that flooring is a cushioned surface.  Experts advise that preschool age children never climb on or use equipment that is more than four feet off the ground.  Teach children to play away from swings and from the bottom of slides.  Wash hands after playing in open sandbox areas because of possible animal waste.

 11. At parties:  Even simple fireworks such as sparklers can be dangerous for children. The tip can be as high as 2,000 degrees. While they look like fun, trampolines and inflatable bouncing play areas are often a source of injury.  

Supervision - Especially by the Water

12.  Be sure that children are not playing in driveways where they may not be seen if cars back up, or in areas where lawnmowers or weed whackers are being used. When cars back up hold their hands at a designated safe place at home. Thousands of young children are killed each year by family members backing up.

13. Children are supervised in public bathrooms and other public places.

 For family activities see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com or wnmufm.org/Learning through the Seasons, also Facebook, Pinterest, and You Tube.

Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos