Making our own maps in preschool

Deborah J. Stewart, M.Ed.
May 27, 2011

A neighborhood map is great way for your students to represent their experiences!

Maps help children make meaning of their world as they draw representations of the special places and things that are important in their everyday lives. Each of these simple street maps have their own story behind them but unfortunately, all I had time to do was photograph the maps themselves…

The children created their own roads with crayons first…

Sharing their Adventures

The roads tell a story and represent unique experiences- which like I said – I missed the stories behind the maps but from what the teacher told me, the children started by telling a story first and then they “mapped it out”. I will have to ask the teacher to tell me one of those stories and repost this again later for you…

Adding Special Places

Once the children had designed their street maps, they then dipped house-shaped sponges into colorful tempera paint…

And pressed the house-shaped sponges on their paper to add houses to their street maps…

The Design Process

I love how this activity combined the process of drawing and sponge painting…

And I loved how each map was uniquely designed representing what was important to each child…

Such a fun process!

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Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'