A map is a picture that helps you find where places are and how to get from one place to another. Early learners can use maps to practice words like left, right, straight, start, and finish. Following a path on a map builds careful looking, listening, and direction skills.
It also helps children connect pictures on paper to real places they can visit.
Key Facts
- START means the place where you begin.
- FINISH means the place where the path ends.
- An arrow shows the direction to move next.
- Left and right tell which way to turn.
- Straight means keep going forward without turning.
- A path can be followed step by step: first, next, then, last.
Vocabulary
- Map
- A map is a picture that shows places and paths from above.
- Landmark
- A landmark is an easy-to-see place or object that helps you know where you are.
- Direction
- A direction tells you which way to go, such as left, right, or straight.
- Path
- A path is the route you follow from one place to another.
- Turn
- A turn is when you change the way you are moving, such as turning left or right.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting at the finish, instead of the start, makes the whole route go backward and can lead to the wrong place.
- Mixing up left and right can send you to a different landmark, so point with your hand before tracing the turn.
- Skipping arrows is wrong because each arrow gives the next direction on the path.
- Moving past a landmark without checking it can make you lose your place, so match each picture to the map as you go.
Practice Questions
- 1 A path says: go straight 3 spaces, turn right, then go straight 2 spaces. How many spaces do you move in all?
- 2 You start at the START sign. You pass the tree after 1 step, the pond after 2 more steps, and the playground after 3 more steps. How many total steps did you take to reach the playground?
- 3 On a map, the path goes straight to a bench, then turns left at the bench, then ends at a fountain. Explain how you would trace the route with your finger from start to finish.