Teaching Kids How to Read a Map

Knowing how to read a map is an essential skill for kids and adults. Not merely do you lot demand to know how to find out where yous are, merely you need to be able to navigate safely to your destination. Now more than ever nosotros've become heavily reliant on engineering science. Our phones and GPS devices are peachy (when they work), but you shouldn't be fully dependent on devices when you're out adventuring. Knowing how to read a map could salvage your life! Today, we have Due south Carolina mom of three, Jen Barnes, here sharing how to teach map reading skills to kids. She covers everything you need to get started educational activity toddlers about maps, all the way through what teens need to know.

The importance of map reading

What do y'all do if cell coverage drops tin yous can't admission the map on your telephone? What if your GPS information is incomplete? How will your kids know where to get (or how to become where they need to exist) if they tin can't read a map. Map reading skills for kids are important. They will assistance you and your kids proceeds confidence and have fun as you chance outdoors.

Maps are an essential office of whatsoever risk. While many people accept come to rely heavily on GPS applied science, the power to read a map is an important skill for kids (and adults) to learn. Whether you caput out on a family road trip, hitting an unfamiliar hiking trail, or practise a cocky-guided walking bout of a big metropolis, yous need a map! Technology has made information technology easier to get around, but it has certainly not eliminated the need to know where you are and where you lot are going.

Learning to read and use a map teaches kids spatial skills. 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 exist at an advantage in our increasingly global and technological lodge.

Learning to honey maps

Every bit memory serves, in that location is non 1 family vacation in my past where a map didn't have its place. As my dad packed upward the station railroad vehicle and my sis and I crammed in the back on our sleeping pocketbook pallets (yes, information technology was the 80s), nosotros fix off to explore new places. Never one time did we leave habitation without our trusty atlas full of every route map we would need.

Admittedly, my dad is a bit of a geography nerd. He loves to pass along his involvement and skills to his kids. When the Chicago Tribune published its Geography Claiming Quiz each year it was a family matter. We all participated and we all looked forwards to boasting with our tidbits of trivia knowledge. At the time information technology was just a fun game, but now that I'm an adult, I realize how useful those skills have been and how well they however serve me today. I'k e'er the navigator in the family unit. I have an excellent sense of management and can grasp the context of a identify more than quickly than others. These are skills everyone can learn, fifty-fifty starting at a young historic period and building from there.

History of the map

Maps accept journeyed a long manner over the last three,000 years. From the starting time written maps to what we now know every bit GPS (right in our pockets). The oldest surviving map comes from a clay tablet depicting Babylon at the eye surrounded past the bounding main. The purpose of this map was not for navigation, but for the map reader to place himself at the eye with an idea of a bigger world around him.

The Romans created maps that were largely unrealistic, done to prove a point that their empire was cohesive. First attempts at realistic map-making came from Claudius Ptolemy who was keenly interested in giving lines (longitude and latitude) to distinguish areas. From that maps evolved every bit economies developed and empires expanded and contracted. Ocean voyages that led to exploration and new country discoveries through travel-filled in details of how the world is shaped. Lands and bodies of water could be related to other lands. Fast forward to today and we tin can still discover how maps are useful and helpful fifty-fifty with the engineering we have access to.

Types of maps

Near of these maps can exist placed into 1 of two groups: reference maps; and, thematic maps.

Reference maps show the location of geographic boundaries, physical features of the earth, or cultural features (such as places, cities, and roads). Examples of reference maps include political maps, physical maps, road maps, topographic maps, fourth dimension zone maps, geologic maps, and zip code maps. Political maps are the most widely used reference maps. These are the types of physical maps that are mounted on the walls of classrooms and found in road maps. They show the geographic boundaries between governmental units such as countries, states, and counties. They testify roads, cities, and major water features such every bit oceans, rivers, and lakes.

Thematic maps are different. They testify the variation of a topic (the "theme") across a geographic area. Examples of thematic maps include weather maps, income maps, and resource maps.

Making map reading for kids fun

Well-nigh kids will learn the very nuts of how to read a map during their elementary school years. However, if you desire to create a skilful map-reader, y'all will want to start young and so reinforce those map-reading skills when you are out in the real world with your kids. Children of all ages tin larn near maps. Information technology'due south never likewise soon (or as well late) to teach this central skill. There are lots of artistic means to weave map reading into your playtime and outdoor adventures.

You lot can starting time to teach map reading skills to kids as young as toddlers and go on to work on building those survival skills out of information technology every bit your kids move into the teen years. The key, like most educational things in life, is to keep it relaxed and make information technology fun.

I am a firm believer that kids acquire best via experience so this gives them a chance to explore and larn at the same time. Whether that's incorporating maps in your outdoor adventures or using them to aid in fun imagination play with treasure hunts, geocaching, and scavenger hunts. They're having fun, beingness agile outside, and learning an essential outdoor skill. As a parent, you are rewarded with watching those skills develop and evolve!

Introduction to map reading skill (toddlers and preschoolers)

When your kids are very young, the all-time way to learn map reading is to start with books and pictures. When language is limited and concepts such as infinite and distance is hard to grasp, you tin can notice other ways to introduce the idea of a map. Books are a great introduction to maps. Past reading out loud to young children and showing them pictures of uncomplicated maps, they'll begin to understand the concept that maps are a visual representation of a identify.

Start with books like In that location's a Map on My Lap and Follow that Map!, which employ pictures and storytelling to teach primal map skills without kids even realizing it. A map volume volition begin to open up your toddler'south globe and get their little sponge-like minds grasping that there is more across what they tin see and experience.

Find pictures of maps that are beautiful and simple to proceed the attention of younger kids. Point to where they are in that moment and and so show them where Grandma or Aunt Jane lives so they can see the space between. The scale does not thing at this age, but toddlers tin can begin to understand place and space and altitude.

Also, offset using directional words around your young kids to establish a rich vocabulary around map reading. When yous're out walking (or even driving), note the direction you're traveling then they get used to hearing Northward, South, Due east, and West. Inquire them whether you're turning left or correct and assistance them figure that out. Signal out landmarks, street names, etc.

Practical applications for toddlers

As a way to reinforce some of what they have learned, try an activity with a basic treasure map. First, hide a pocket-size treasure in your yard or nearby park. And then describe a treasure map using only pictures and symbols. Utilise landmarks they are very familiar with similar the swing set or garbage can or fence and then they can follow forth easily and not get frustrated.

Take advantage of showing your toddler maps as you travel or when you visit the zoo, etc. If you are open to involving applied science, yous can use Google Maps as a more interactive map activity. Every bit usual with toddlers, continue it light and short to match their mood and attention span!

Map reading basics for simple school ages

Kids in elementary school however love books, and then continue to read aloud and check out books about maps from the library that they tin larn from and savour at the same fourth dimension. In that location are loads books that can help teach and plant basic map skills. For example, there are so many amazing National Geographic atlases, beautifully illustrated books with pictures, fun map trivia and activity books, interesting kids' road atlases, interactive world atlases, state map coloring books, and more than. Your kids at this age will larn more singled-out map reading skills as they learn the elements of a map (run across below) and how to use them.

This is also a great age to innovate puzzle maps, globes, and maps of places they know (like their hometown) or want to know virtually (like Hogwarts). Allow them check out Google maps to observe their house and Google World to visit far-away interesting places.

Basic elements of a map

The bones map elements of a map include championship, scale, fable, compass, and longitude & latitude. Here's an overview of map symbols, parts of a map, and how elements of a map will assist your child learn bones map reading skills.

Championship – The championship lets y'all know exactly what the map is portraying. Yous definitely need to make certain you accept the right map and the championship helps you know that you lot have the all-time tool.

Scale – The calibration gives you lot the ratio of a distance on a map to the corresponding distance on the ground. Maps are a tool to give relationship of where you are to where you are going. Map scale helps you lot decipher the tool and give context to what you actually need to do and how far you lot demand to get.

Legend – A map legend defines the features of a map by displaying a symbol followed past a text clarification of what the symbol represents. Information technology all begins to brand sense by using the fable on a map. The map primal is office of the map legend.

Compass –  Often also called the compass rose, the map compass is a effigy on a map to display the orientation of the cardinal directions North, S, Eastward, and W. The map orientation symbol allows you to understand how the map was drawn in relation to management.

Longitude and latitude – The arrangement of lines that describe the location of whatever identify on Globe. Latitude lines run East and West while Longitude lines run North and Due south.

How to do map reading with kids

At that place are loads of map reading practise worksheets for your elementary pupil to learn how to use the map elements. You can find some like these maps and geography worksheets online. That'southward fine to start, but I think the best mode to learn is past bringing the map to life!

I suggest choosing an outside activity your kids enjoy that requires roofing some altitude — biking, hiking, or kayaking. Next, find a map that matches a location where you can do that action. Report the map together and locate each of the main elements. Try to map out your route on the map and practice the distance with the calibration. Make note of whatsoever landmarks that may y'all may be able to apply.

Also, consider purchasing a large colorful world map or a large map of your dwelling country (or city or country) that you tin can display on the wall in your home where yous kids have easy admission to it. Mark dwelling house and then begin making places you visit. Show the kids the altitude, apply your finger to trace the route yous took to become there. Perhaps you can also mark places you lot wish to visit someday.

They tin also practice making their own map. They can create a treasure hunt map (x marks the spot) or a scavenger hunt map for siblings or friends. They tin can draw a map of their neighborhood or plan out their route to school. Creating their own maps volition help them conceptually visualize their surface area and think about spatial pattern, distance, the map fundamental, and directions.

Map reading skills for middle school ages (tweens)

Reading a map will become more and more than natural the more practice your kids get. Tween map reading skills will be reinforced in school with greater detail in their geography curriculum, social studies, and history classes. This will further their study of map key symbols and basic concepts, as well equally develop their depth in map reading activities.

At this age, for more exposure at home, I propose helping to build their map reading skills through travel guide books. This may seem foreign, simply having your tween choose some destinations that intrigue him/her will capture the interest even more. All of the great guides like Solitary Planet Kids and Moon Travel Guides have map inserts for every destination they highlight. From detailed urban center maps to hiking trails within National Parks, these travel guide books volition be another excellent practice tool. Finding a place or expanse that piques their interest and having them read virtually it is a fun way of education map skills that doesn't feel like piece of work.

Tween map skills practice

If you accept an outdoor hazard coming upward, chore your tween with some map research past giving them specific goals. Older kids dearest beingness involved in the planning process and having a say in what you do and where y'all go. There are fun and simple ways to put this desire to be involved to use in building map reading skills. For instance, ask them to locate whatsoever interesting pit stops forth a road trip route. Hand them a paper map and have them help program the route from point A to betoken B during your road trips. Ask them to calculate how far your campsite is from the hike you desire to exercise.

The main idea at this age is to foster leadership skills and build confidence as your tween ventures more than outdoors. These are also opportunities to testify your tweens how to exist less tech-dependent. They need to know how to utilize a map when technology isn't necessary or even possible. Technology sometimes fails, either because you're in a remote surface area or possibly your telephone dies. Developing your child'southward map reading skills at present will lead to a fourth dimension when kids tin apply their map reading skills to aid themselves and others, which will build and grow their independence and confidence.

Map reading for teenagers

I truly believe that map reading falls under bones life skills for kids. By the time they reach their teen years, your kids should be able to place the right map to use and know how to properly navigate their adventure. However, if your teen is non yet proficient at map reading, it's never too late to acquire new things.

Information technology'southward definitely never besides late to practice and hone those skills. Every teen, whether introverted or extroverted is looking to establish themselves in the world. They are out to prove themselves capable. If your teen does not yet fully grasp the purposes and elements of a map, go backwards and start from where you lot need to (meet the steps listed higher up).

Yous can assign practical map reading tasks to your teen based on their personality and interests. If your teenager is showing signs of leadership and wants to take accuse, it's fourth dimension to let them wing. When you lot take a teen that is more reserved or cautious, you tin can encourage him/her to be the route planner. He/She can take a crucial backside-the-scenes role.

Adding elevation to your teen's map reading skills

During the teen years, y'all can introduce topographical maps and contour maps that bear witness non merely space, but the land human relationship. Elevation is a big bargain and very of import to know and be aware of before choosing a hiking trail. You will want your teen to be able to read a map that has those markings. Contour lines volition assistance you do this and learn about elevation.

A topographic map legend will show natural features and include wavy-similar lines that volition extend from a pinnacle. These contour lines allow you know how much elevation gain there volition be on a trail. Agreement how to read elevation on a map will assistance you lot decide if you can safely accomplish a hike. Maps provide guidance and navigation by showing what to look and guide you in assessing specific routes.

City streets and transportation maps

Another next stride at this age can exist very detailed city maps and transportation maps including an MTA subway map or a urban center bus route map. Knowing how to navigate around a city or program out your transportation route is a very important skill for everyone to learn and keen skills to teach teens.

One of the all-time ways to experience a city is on foot and using public transportation. And so, this is an awesome opportunity to let your teenager take charge and exercise his/her maps skills. Study the map earlier you exit domicile and marker your lodging and main points of interest before you driblet in. Notation the places you lot'll be traveling to and how y'all'll get there. Beingness prepared gives your teen all the more confidence.

Dealing with pushback

Sometimes it tin be hard to convince kids (especially teenagers) that map reading is a necessary skill. They volition debate that they can just use their phones or the car navigation system. Much of the time that is truthful, but not always. Engineering can fail. Phones can dice. Knowing where yous are and how to get where you need to become via an alternating method is imperative.

Recently, our family was out adventuring deep in the wilderness areas of Olympic National Park in Washington. It's an incredibly cute, dumbo, and remote location. It's likewise incredibly difficult to get a jail cell indicate for any help on roads or trails in the expanse. At that place were quite a few times when we were unable to access maps on our phones or employ our GPS.

I felt very proud that my kids had the life skills to utilise a map to locate where we started, where we are, and where we want to go. And while information technology feels nice every bit a mom to lookout them figure it out, it'southward even more meaningful to them. To take the confidence and the maturity to employ a tool and trust that their do led them to a place of security. It gave us all more than confidence and independence when out adventuring. I hope you; maps are non expressionless.

Other map reading activities

If you are looking for other outdoor activities to practice your map reading skills, cheque out Geocaching with Kids. Geocaching is a real-life treasure hunt, where you notice small caches (filled with trinkets and prizes) using your GPS-enabled smartphone. It's a nifty way to teach kids about map reading while having fun and getting outside.

Can you kids read a map?
How will your kids use map reading skills on your next outdoor adventure?

About the author

Jen has been married to her original take a chance partner, John, for 20 years. She is a mama to 3 teenagers who, although they take busy and independent lives, love to hazard in the outdoors when they can. Jen is a native of Chicago, only has lived in South Carolina for two decades and calls information technology home. She's always planning the next adventure for herself or her friends, whether near or far. Hiking, kayaking, sailing with her family, or traveling the world is all about the experience and the journey. Her extroverted nature keeps her talking and smiling with anyone she meets along the way. She's on a mission to show other busy families that traveling with teenagers is possible and fun!

You lot can find Jen online in the post-obit locations:
Instagram: @gofamilyadventure
Website: Go Family Take a chance

Teaching Kids How to Read a Map

Source: https://runwildmychild.com/map-reading-skills/

Share this post