This visual picture sticks in my mind, and once implanted, I find it hard to get lost. The ability to read a map is something that has been set into place through my past experiences and, by relying on them, I stay oriented. A sense of place, including personal orientation, is something that is important to children as well.
Maps are clothespins that hitch our lives to our places.
Children identify with the world differently as they develop, which is reflected in the kinds of maps they make. Sobel has identifed four stages that children pass through. Understanding these stages can help us choose appropriate activities and integrate mapping effectively into the curriculum. No Place Like Home. At this age, a child's world is centered on their own back yard.