What you’ll need: <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n- – A world map. This doesn’t have to be anything fancy \u2013 a printout would work! \u2013 but it should include different colours and show the different countries clearly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- – Extension<\/strong>: paper<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- – Extension<\/strong>: mark-making materials<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- – Optional<\/em><\/strong>:<\/em> copies of National Geographic Little Kids<\/em> magazine<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
What to do: <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nEncourage the children to look at the map and talk about what they see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some prompts to get you started: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- – What different colours can they see on the map? <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- – How many colours are there?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- – What do each of these colours mean? <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Explain to the children that the blue on the map represents the different oceans. Point to the oceans and name them, encouraging your child to repeat back the different names. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WorldMapActivity-Map.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nRepeat this process for the continents, again encouraging the child to repeat these back to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next, ask the child if they can identify where on the map they live. If they can \u2013 amazing! \u2013 and if not, show them where their country is. Are there any other countries they can identify? You could try holiday destinations, places family members live, or homes of their favourite animals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Encourage curiosity about different areas on the map. Can your child compare the sizes of different countries? Which ones do they think might be particularly hot or cold? Where would they like to visit? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, talk about the different animals you might find in each of the areas on the map. Have they ever seen these animals? Where? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re a National Geographic Little Kids<\/em> subscriber<\/a>, use your recent magazine issues to supplement the activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou could ask your child where the animals on the magazine covers are found on the map, point out where countries mentioned in the issue are found, or do some research together to track down the home of their favourite sticker! Plus, here are some more top tips to help you get the most out of your Little Kids<\/em> mags. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"world](\"https:\/\/cdn.creatureandcoagency.com\/uploads\/2024\/07\/LK021-SOCIAL-COVER_NEWSLETTER.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nExtension:<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\nHelp your kids create their own world map using mark making materials! They could use their hands, a sponge, or even natural materials like leaves to create their illustration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep up the curious questions as they go: what colours do they need? How can they best use the mark making tools to show different countries? Do they know any flags \u2013 and if so, can they add them? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nLooking for more reference books? Check out the Planet Earth Activity and Colouring Book<\/a> on the Nat Geo Kids shop!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow does this world map activity support early years learning? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLike the puzzles and games in National Geographic Little Kids <\/em>magazine<\/a>, this activity links to the Development Matters Framework \u2013\u00a0a top-level guidance that supports the learning and development of early-years kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe particular learning areas targeted in this activity are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communication and language<\/strong> \u2013 developing a wider range of vocabulary and exploring unfamiliar words and concepts. <\/p>\n\n\n\nMathematics <\/strong>\u2013 making comparisons between objects relating to size, length, weight and capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUnderstanding the world <\/strong>\u2013 talking about what they see using a wide vocabulary; knowing that there are different countries in the world, and talking about the differences they have experienced or seen in photos. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPhysical development<\/strong> \u2013 if the extension activity is included, children will work on using one-handed tools and equipment, using a comfortable grip with good control when holding pens or pencils, and show a preference for a dominant hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nLooking for another activity? Check out this eco-friendly slime recipe<\/a> to make at home.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
What to do: <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nEncourage the children to look at the map and talk about what they see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some prompts to get you started: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- – What different colours can they see on the map? <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- – How many colours are there?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- – What do each of these colours mean? <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Explain to the children that the blue on the map represents the different oceans. Point to the oceans and name them, encouraging your child to repeat back the different names. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nRepeat this process for the continents, again encouraging the child to repeat these back to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next, ask the child if they can identify where on the map they live. If they can \u2013 amazing! \u2013 and if not, show them where their country is. Are there any other countries they can identify? You could try holiday destinations, places family members live, or homes of their favourite animals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Encourage curiosity about different areas on the map. Can your child compare the sizes of different countries? Which ones do they think might be particularly hot or cold? Where would they like to visit? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, talk about the different animals you might find in each of the areas on the map. Have they ever seen these animals? Where? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re a National Geographic Little Kids<\/em> subscriber<\/a>, use your recent magazine issues to supplement the activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou could ask your child where the animals on the magazine covers are found on the map, point out where countries mentioned in the issue are found, or do some research together to track down the home of their favourite sticker! Plus, here are some more top tips to help you get the most out of your Little Kids<\/em> mags. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nExtension:<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\nHelp your kids create their own world map using mark making materials! They could use their hands, a sponge, or even natural materials like leaves to create their illustration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep up the curious questions as they go: what colours do they need? How can they best use the mark making tools to show different countries? Do they know any flags \u2013 and if so, can they add them? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nLooking for more reference books? Check out the Planet Earth Activity and Colouring Book<\/a> on the Nat Geo Kids shop!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow does this world map activity support early years learning? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLike the puzzles and games in National Geographic Little Kids <\/em>magazine<\/a>, this activity links to the Development Matters Framework \u2013\u00a0a top-level guidance that supports the learning and development of early-years kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe particular learning areas targeted in this activity are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communication and language<\/strong> \u2013 developing a wider range of vocabulary and exploring unfamiliar words and concepts. <\/p>\n\n\n\nMathematics <\/strong>\u2013 making comparisons between objects relating to size, length, weight and capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUnderstanding the world <\/strong>\u2013 talking about what they see using a wide vocabulary; knowing that there are different countries in the world, and talking about the differences they have experienced or seen in photos. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPhysical development<\/strong> \u2013 if the extension activity is included, children will work on using one-handed tools and equipment, using a comfortable grip with good control when holding pens or pencils, and show a preference for a dominant hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nLooking for another activity? Check out this eco-friendly slime recipe<\/a> to make at home.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Explain to the children that the blue on the map represents the different oceans. Point to the oceans and name them, encouraging your child to repeat back the different names. <\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nRepeat this process for the continents, again encouraging the child to repeat these back to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next, ask the child if they can identify where on the map they live. If they can \u2013 amazing! \u2013 and if not, show them where their country is. Are there any other countries they can identify? You could try holiday destinations, places family members live, or homes of their favourite animals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Encourage curiosity about different areas on the map. Can your child compare the sizes of different countries? Which ones do they think might be particularly hot or cold? Where would they like to visit? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, talk about the different animals you might find in each of the areas on the map. Have they ever seen these animals? Where? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re a National Geographic Little Kids<\/em> subscriber<\/a>, use your recent magazine issues to supplement the activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You could ask your child where the animals on the magazine covers are found on the map, point out where countries mentioned in the issue are found, or do some research together to track down the home of their favourite sticker! Plus, here are some more top tips to help you get the most out of your Little Kids<\/em> mags. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Help your kids create their own world map using mark making materials! They could use their hands, a sponge, or even natural materials like leaves to create their illustration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep up the curious questions as they go: what colours do they need? How can they best use the mark making tools to show different countries? Do they know any flags \u2013 and if so, can they add them? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking for more reference books? Check out the Planet Earth Activity and Colouring Book<\/a> on the Nat Geo Kids shop!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Like the puzzles and games in National Geographic Little Kids <\/em>magazine<\/a>, this activity links to the Development Matters Framework \u2013\u00a0a top-level guidance that supports the learning and development of early-years kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The particular learning areas targeted in this activity are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Communication and language<\/strong> \u2013 developing a wider range of vocabulary and exploring unfamiliar words and concepts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mathematics <\/strong>\u2013 making comparisons between objects relating to size, length, weight and capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Understanding the world <\/strong>\u2013 talking about what they see using a wide vocabulary; knowing that there are different countries in the world, and talking about the differences they have experienced or seen in photos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Physical development<\/strong> \u2013 if the extension activity is included, children will work on using one-handed tools and equipment, using a comfortable grip with good control when holding pens or pencils, and show a preference for a dominant hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nExtension:<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
How does this world map activity support early years learning? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Looking for another activity? Check out this eco-friendly slime recipe<\/a> to make at home.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n