Map drill – what's average for a 6 year old?

At 6, I started my kids off with a simple continents and oceans map. It did not go along with our history module, but I felt it was important to start with something easy so they would not only get an idea of the concept of the map drill but also so they would have a picture in their minds of where these countries were that we would eventually study. Uncle Josh’s Outline Map book has a page that is a full world map, no country outlines, and blank. As with all our map drills, I have a master map that I fill out and we use to study and learn our new places. Then the children start with a blank map each week and label what they know. I do provide spelling for them. Both my children flew through this map at 6 years old, and I believe it built their confidence for future and more difficult map drills. My dd, who is now 7.5, knows all her continents and oceans, the Middle East, all of Asia, the Mediterranean, and Europe. This isn’t because I rushed her, but because she genuinely loves map drill and learns her countries quickly and effortlessly. I know the less-is-more approach is often favored for our younger ones, but my dd was begging for map studies like her brother. I held her back at first, thinking she would just be frustrated and unable to “get it”, but as always, she totally suprised me and keeps up with her older brother every time.

I wouldn’t expect much at six.  My DD 10 is doing well, DS 8 is struggling a bit.  Next year I will have a 6yo and was just thinking of what to expect from her…I love the idea of starting with continents and oceans!  Painting on the wall sounds so fun too (but I think that could get me in trouble).  😉  

One thing we do is a Geopuzzle before we start labeling the maps.  That puts it all fresh in their mind.  I cover the puzzle up, then they write out their maps and can check their work on the puzzle (which is larger than our maps).  My 5yo loves to help with the puzzle.

We use the Montessori blank outline and labled maps. My dd6 is doing pretty well with Europe right now. We don’t do writing for our map drills, sometimes even just the name of a country is hard to figure out for these little guys! We also study regular world and country wall maps as well. Matching up bodies of water, mountain ranges, etc. with our blank maps.

Don’t know if this has been mentioned, but on the All Day Seminar, Sonya describes how she does geography drill with younger children. If I remember correctly, she suggests starting by outlining the country you want the child to learn, and then having the child color it in. The child should know the name of the country.

The next week, hand the child the blank map and say, “Do you remember the name of this country? What color should we make it this week?” She says to be sure it is a different color, or else your child will associate that color with that particular country!

After that country is firm in the child’s mind, move on to an adjacent country or body of water. She does not say that a child of six should be expected to write in the country names, but should simply know the names of the countries.

Sounds simple…like all of Sonya’s advice :0)! Hope that helps you as much as it did me!