How to teach geography to preschoolers should be hands-on but it is not about teaching them continent names or capitals. Also, look at my pages How to Homeschool Preschool and Hands-On Simple And Best Homeschool Geography Ideas & Tips.
Preschoolers are naturally curious about the world around them. And teaching geography to preschoolers needs to begin with their immediate world and spark interests in other places.
For example, show your preschooler a picture with the house and your child in the picture. This also teaches spatial awareness.
Next, talk about where is the grocery store, the park or gas station. Places your preschoolers visits regularly helps associate location.
Even creating a me on the map activity give your child a starting point.
In addition, plenty of picture books gives your child an idea of other places.
ANIMAL GEOGRAPHY RESOURCES FOR KIDS
First, look at these fun books for preschoolers.
Use them for read aloud.
7 Animal Geography Resources
We refer to Wildlife Anatomy quite a bit for zoology, it is worth adding to your collection.
Bestselling author/illustrator Julia Rothman shares a delightfully illustrated guide to all the beasts of the wild, from lions, tigers, and bears to musk oxen, monkeys, elephants, giraffes, foxes, badgers, bats, crocodiles, owls, flying squirrels and much, much more.
Wall Maps: These world wall maps feature bright colors for easy identification of places of interest. This map of the world can be easily folded or "scrunched" Into the included storage pouch. Lasts longer than paper maps.
In The Big Book of Beasts, Yuval Zommer’s wonderful illustrations bring to whimsical life some of the grizzliest, hairiest, bravest, wiliest, and most fearsome beasts in the animal kingdom. Brimming with interesting facts from beast consultant Barbara Taylor, this charming picture book is a beautiful way for parents to introduce young children to the animal world―and for older children to learn by themselves.
Each country visited features a selection of animals indigenous to those regions. These beautiful drawings will familiarize students with some remarkable creatures, their habitat and habits, cultivating respect and wonder for the natural world. Part Two covers Europe and South America. In Europe we cover France, Spain, Italy, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, and Great Britain! In South America we cover Ecuador, Chile, Peru, and Brazil!
Our colorful, engaging atlas is ideal for students in second through fourth grades and was developed from our award-winning Classroom Atlas, just simplified for younger students. Completely redesigned with a new layout,eye-catching pictures, informative graphics, and fully updated map content. Teaches map and globe skills to younger students. Features photos, graphs, interesting facts, and thought-provoking questions that reinforce map concepts.Includes 15 physical, political, and thematic maps.
Explore all the fascinating things that make Planet Earth such an exciting place to live with this lively introduction to our world, its geography, culture, and people. Get ready for an incredible journey, one in which you’ll visit far-off places, meet interesting people, and learn all about continents, countries, climates, and more. This book is also full of fun facts about animals, sports, foods, inventions, and holidays from all over the world.
Lift the flaps in this quirky 3D atlas as illustrator Ingela P. Arrhenius takes the youngest of readers around the globe, introducing an enchanting selection of animals. Did you know that flamingos hide their heads while they sleep? That a Galápagos tortoise can live for a hundred years? That baboons have pink bottoms? Or that a peacock’s tail is used to impress potential mates? With interactive flaps and a central pop on each colorful spread, this is a stand-up gift for small children who love animals of all stripes.
Then, look at these other preschool activity resources.
MORE PRESCHOOL GEOGRAPHY RESOURCES
- Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary
- 5 Mexico Crafts For Preschoolers And Free Activity Pages
- Sensory Play Made Easy: Crafting a Community Helpers Sensory Bin
- How To Teach The 50 States To Preschoolers | 50 States Busy Book
- K is for Kangaroo| Australia Theme
- Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play
In addition, look at these ways to teach geography to preschoolers.
5 WAYS TO TEACH GEOGRAPHY TO PRESCHOOLERS
Because kids this age need to move and explore, use their natural love for learning to teach geography through different sense.
1. USE MUSIC AND STORIES TO TEACH CULTURES
First, begin with music. Children love to dance and move to music.
Introduce stories and songs from a country you think would interests your child.
2. SIMPLE GLOBES & MAPS ARE BEST
Also, children can much more than we may think. Let the feel and spin simple globes to understand what is the world.
Besides, flat maps they can see introduces the shapes of continents. This early introduction can ignite a future love of maps.
3. GEOGRAPHY-THEMED SENSORY PLAY
Too, I will be doing a geography themed sensory bin.
Bins can have desert, ocean, or even snow themes to introduce a preschooler to different biomes.
4. CONNECT GEOGRAPHY TO ANIMALS AND NATURE
Additionally, my sensory bin will. be using something all preschoolers like which is animals.
Using nature and animals and where animals live fosters a love of science too.
5. CELEBRATE CULTURAL TRADITIONS
And because kids love to move, use traditions of countries to teach your kids about cultures. They can make crafts to celebrate different traditions.
Even go on a scavenger hunt teaches them directions.
Finally, look at how to make this around the world geography sensory bin.
AROUND THE WORLD GEOGRAPHY SENSORY BIN
Supply List
- Uncooked rice
- Blue food coloring
- Zip-top bag or bowl for dyeing rice
- Green felt sheets
- Scissors
- Toy animals
Dye the Rice: Add uncooked rice to a zip-top bag or bowl. Add a few drops of blue food coloring, seal or stir, and shake/mix until the rice is evenly coated. Spread it out to dry completely.
Prepare the Continents: Cut simple continent shapes out of green felt. Keep them recognizable but child-friendly and easy to handle.
Set Up the Bin: Pour the blue rice into the sensory bin to create the “ocean” base.
Add Continents: Lay the green felt continents on top of the rice to form a basic world map.
Add Animals: Place toy animals nearby or mix a few into the bin.
BENEFITS OF A GEOGRAPHY SENSORY BIN
Provides sensory input that keeps kids calm, engaged, and curious during play.
Encourages geography awareness by helping kids connect animals to different continents.
Builds fine motor skills while placing animals and exploring the rice base.
Strengthens critical thinking as kids match habitats to regions.
Supports language development through conversations about animals, climates, and continents.
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