Montessori Tools For Geography

Geography can be an exciting topic that engages preschool-age children if it is presented using teaching methods that are tailored to a level that’s appropriate for young minds. Montessori schools does this by using specific learning tools that help begin basic geography concepts earlier than traditional education does. The Montessori approach to teaching geography helps children to learn concepts in a tactile, hands-on way. Not only do children see the continents, landforms, and oceans, but they can feel their shapes and learn about the life that lives on them as well!

In a Montessori environment, geography is broke up into the physical geography of the earth and then the social & political geography of countries, customs & cultures. We begin with physical geography because it is easier to grasp based on shapes & tactile information that younger children can easily understand. From there, we explore deeper into the subject of geology, which examines the composition of the Earth and serves as a solid foundation to help children more fully understand the concepts of political & social geography.

  1. Sandpaper Globes: In a sandpaper globe, the land and water have different textures – and children can run their hands over textured globe to help learn to differentiate between the land and the water. During the sensitive period for language, sandpaper globes also help them learn how to to identify and name the seven continents.
  2. Landform Models: Children begin learning how to identify and classify landforms through scale models of common geographical formations. Examples of these models models include an island, lake, peninsula, gulf, isthmus, and straight – where raised areasrepresent land and the lower parts can be filled with water to show children the landforms in a realistic, intuitive manner. As your child comes to understand  landforms through three dimensional models, cards with photographs of real landforms in nature can be used to further their understanding.
  3. Puzzle Maps: Puzzle maps are wooden puzzles split into continents, countries, or states. You can imagine them as being like jigsaw puzzels, except that each color-coded piece represents a geographical mass, which attached kbobs to help the child’s fingers grasp them easily. Puzzle maps are meant to reinforce map skills, and engage the child’s mind to see where pieces fit together.
  4. Continent Boxes: A more holistic approach to teaching geography involves creating a small box for each continent which contains miniature models of animals, landmarks, and photographs of the people & cultures in that region. Learning about the people, cultures, foliage and animals that inhabit our world helps make geography more interesting, and helps children with the task of naming and classifying these objects as well.

Geography comes to life when it is presented in an immersive manner that engages children in a visual & tactile way. Learn about geography in preschool not only helps to inspire children to be lifelong learners about the Earth, but also helps them develop a deeper understanding of our planet and the life that inhabits it.