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Making and Reading Maps

These activities will help your child excellent practice with making and reading maps.
By: Trish Kuffner, author of The Children's Busy Book

Making and Reading Maps


Maps help kids understand the concept of location. These activities will help your child practice making and reading maps.

Directions

  1. Help your child draw a simple map of his bedroom, house, yard, or neighborhood. Make a map leading your child to hidden treasures in your home or yard.
  2. To help your child understand direction (north, south, east, and west), use your home as a reference point, showing the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. Point out geographical features to the north and south. Ask your child questions like What direction are you facing if the setting sun is on your right?
  3. Find your city or town on a map. Point out familiar locations like friends' homes and your child's school. Discuss the purpose of a legend on a map.
  4. Hang a map of North America or the world on a wall. Use it to locate places you read or hear about.

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