Introduction to Geography: A Montessori Approach
The Montessori approach utilizes hands-on learning, independence, and exploration. When it comes to introducing young learners to geography, this method proves to be both engaging and effective, fostering a sense of curiosity and wonder about the world.
Children are introduced to geography through tactile and visual experiences, such as handling globes, tracing maps, and engaging in activities that represent land, water, and air. These hands-on experiences are designed to cater to the child’s absorbent mind, allowing them to grasp abstract concepts in a concrete manner.
This article includes suggestions for extension activities that can be added to a Montessori early childhood classroom.
Exploring the Elements: Air, Land, and Water
There are countless ways to categorize and sort elements found in the air, land, and water. These natural components form the basis of our world and are essential in teaching children about geography.
So many ways to sort things found in the air, land, and water!
Creating Land, Water, and Air Jars
One engaging activity involves filling jars to represent land and water. This tactile experience allows children to visualize the different components of our planet in a simple and effective manner.
Filling our land and water jars
Make a Land and Water Globe
Using a styrofoam ball and playdoh, children can create their own land and water globe. This hands-on activity not only fosters creativity but also helps in understanding the basic geographical elements.
Earth Playdoh Mat
The children also enjoy using the Earth playdoh mat and trying to fill in the landmasses with playdoh. This interactive play aids in developing their spatial awareness and understanding of geography.
Making a land and water globe with a styrofoam ball and playdoh.
From a Globe to a Map
We demonstrate to the children how a flat map is derived from a spherical globe using a blue ball of playdoh.
We used a blue ball of playdoh to show the children how a flat map is made from a spherical globe.
Check out this fantastic demonstration by Lori from Great Extensions
Make a World Map
After working with the Montessori world puzzle map, children can begin making their own world maps. In the image below, the children have carefully pin-punched out the continents and arranged them on the paper. The oceans have been filled in with blue water colors.
Continent Folders
Our Continent Folders are always available on the shelves for the children to explore. They are filled with pictures from each continent. We have the set from Montessori Print Shop but you can easily make your own by doing a quick search on the internet. Look for pictures of children, landmarks, food, festivals, people engaged in daily activities, large cities and small towns/villages. You may also want to consider using the cards from our continent A-Z packs.
We made these folders by adding some craft paper embellishment to construction paper, laminating it, and making a pocket by taping the sides together with heavy duty packing tape.
Make a Continent Bracelet
This is a simple little bead stringing work that the children enjoy. The beads match the color of the continents on the puzzle map. They have to string the beads in the order of our continent song. The laminated strip with the colored dots acts as a control of error.
North America, South America, Africa, Europe and Asia. Don’t Forget Australia and don’t forget Antarctica.
Here is another version of the Continent Song with the continents in a different order.
Continent 3-Part Cards
Matching the continent 3-part cards and then making a booklet is always fun! You can find a very nice free downloadable set from The Helpful Garden
Introduction to Montessori Geography: Printables from HOKA
HOKA (Hands-on Kids Activities) is a monthly subscription service for preschool and Montessori educators that provides a curated collection of printables and other resources to help with curriculum planning and rotations.
Members of HOKA receive a bundle of printables each month, including seasonal resources and unit studies on a variety of themes, such as geography and science. The subscription also includes a planning guide, a curated book list, and a supplementary materials shopping list.
Below is a list of the printables you can find in the Introduction to Geography unit of HOKA. HOKA Members can log in and download all these resources. If you prefer to purchase them separately, please click the image below to go to the product page for each resource. Resources labeled HOKA exclusive are not available separately.
Scroll down to see images of these resources in action!
HOKA Geography Printables in Action
Check out how HOKA members have been using some of these resources with their students!
Seemi holds a Master's degree in education, and an AMS Early Childhood credential. She has twenty years of experience in Montessori as a teacher, school administrator, and school owner. Seemi is the founder of TrilliumMontessori.org.