Teaching Kids About Maps

Julie dillemuth, a children’s author and spatial cognition expert says that “when you look at maps, you are building a mental map. A map is nothing more than squiggles and symbols. The next page is where your child can get into the nitty gritty of the map elements.

Having a good spatial awareness helps them with many other aspects of education, from maths to creativity. Spatial thinking and spatial awareness are some of the most important skills that students will develop as they learn how to read a map and about geography, kids who develop robust spatial thinking skills will be at an advantage in our increasingly global and technological society. Teach some basic symbols before going outside.

For example, one of the findings was that students in grades 2 through 4 are able to make the transition from map symbols that are iconic or representative of objects in the world to abstract symbols.

Next, students draw boxes on the grid as follows: Read have yourself a mappy little treasure hunt A map is a picture of a place, usually drawn from above. Reading a map requires the ability to think abstractly, which occurs between ages 7 to 9.