FREE maps and rich learning

As a teacher you hardly ever say ‘NO’ to something FREE! You may not know how or when you will use it but you think you may. This is how I and many other teachers have a garage full of items ready for that interest or project.

In getting a bag full of maps I realised that I had not used them in play for over 15 years. Good old goggle and looking on a phone are how we get directions these days and it made me think about the skills maps offer:

· Sense of space and direction (spatial skills)

· Distance and time (maths skills)

· Symbols for landmarks and nature (early literacy)

· Observation and navigation (STEM skills)

· Lines, shapes and contours (art)

· Mark making (fine motor skills)

I started by putting the FREE maps on the table in a bag for the children