How To Help Children Learn More About Communities Beyond Them

1/19/2025

Once children understand their local communities, it’s time to take them on an exciting journey to explore broader regions and their place in the world. By looking at maps and learning about provinces, states, countries, and continents, children can begin to grasp how their community fits into the bigger picture.

exploring the communitieis around and beyond us

1. Explore the Region: Provinces, Territories, or States

Start by zooming out to the larger area children live in.

Activity Idea: Use a map of your province, territory, or state to locate their community. Discuss nearby cities, rivers, mountains, or other landmarks.
Classroom Connection: Talk about how these features affect life in their area—whether it’s farming in rural areas, bustling industries in cities, or transportation hubs in suburban zones.

2. Discover the Country

Help children understand the diversity and size of their country.

Mapping Fun: Locate their province, territory, or state on a country map. Discuss the capital city, major landmarks, and neighboring regions.
Activity Idea: Create a “My Country” booklet where kids draw the flag, list popular foods, and describe cultural traditions unique to their country.

3. Think Globally: Where Are We in the World?

Introduce the idea of continents and how countries fit into the global community.

World Map Exploration: Use a large map or globe to show the location of their country. Point out oceans, continents, and neighboring countries.
Activity Idea: Create a “World Map Puzzle” where kids place continents and oceans in the correct spots.

4. Connect the Dots: “Our Place in the World” Project

Bring everything together in a culminating project.

Project Idea: Have children create a layered map showing their neighborhood, region, country, and world. They can stack the maps, starting small (neighborhood) and expanding outward (world).
Reflection: Discuss how different communities—local and global—are connected through trade, culture, and shared resources.

5. Incorporate Fun and Games

Make geography memorable with interactive activities.

Game Idea: Play a “Where Am I?” game where you give clues about a place (e.g., “I’m a province in the north,” “I’m a country famous for kangaroos”) and kids guess the answer.
Digital Resources: Use online map tools to explore live imagery of famous landmarks or cities around the world.

Learning about communities and the world beyond can be exciting and enriching

Understanding their place in the larger world helps children develop a sense of identity and belonging. It also encourages curiosity about other cultures and regions, laying the groundwork for global citizenship.
By combining maps, discussions, and hands-on projects, you can make learning about broader communities an exciting and enriching experience for your children.