Our adventures in geography!

I'm working on adding continent boxes to our current geography materials, which I'll have up when I'm finished with them - in reality, might end up finishing one at a time, because it's a bit overwhelming to get them all done the way I want them! But, keep an eye out for North America in the next week or so. Today, though, we did some preschool-aged geography with the materials we already had.  My kids are really into learning where places and things are lately, so this was a HUGE success!

Our "Little Passports" introduction kit came in the mail.  It's a cute little play suitcase that has a map and information about the program inside.  Each subsequent month, they'll send a little package with information and stickers from a different country.  For more information, be sure to check out their website here.  My kids really enjoyed this starter package, and I think they'll love the monthly packages, too!  Added benefit for my kids is that they get mail - they adore getting mail!  Some of the worksheets included were defiantly aimed at children a bit older than my preschoolers, but I think they'll get a lot of enjoyment out of it nonetheless.  As we get our monthly packages, we're going to discuss what continent the country is on, then add the materials they send to the appropriate continent box - so it'll all tie back together with the continent boxes that I've been working so hard on!

The globe in the background is a Montessori continent globe.  What I love about this one is that it's only 6 inches in diameter, which makes it really easy for a preschool-aged child to manipulate.  I got mine from KidAdvance Montessori here, although most Montessori supply stores sell something similar. Just to note: one of the things I love so much about Montessori is that so much of their materials are color coded.  On the Montessori globe that we have, North America is orange, South America is pink, Europe is red, etc.  This coloring system of the continents is also used in the world puzzle maps, and I'll use it when I make continent boxes.  It provides an easy reinforcement of what continent is what.

Some of the books we have had out for our current geography adventures are:
A Trip Around the World.  This book has super-easy to use information about many countries throughout the world.  It's a nice resource to use when looking at a specific country - we like the recipes!

Flags of the World (an Usborne Book).  This has stickers of the flags of every country, and the quality is very nice.  The kids have one copy that we leave out for them to look at - they like the colors and designs on the flags.  I think the sticker flags would also be a super easy way to make three-part cards for  continent boxes - certainly easier than finding printable versions of all the flags for making cards!

Around the World Coloring Book.  Not pictured, because the kids were looking at it!  This has coloring pages of many of the countries throughout the world, and basic information about those countries.  The kids did the United States page today, and enjoyed it.

Maps and Globes.  This book has a LOT of information about maps and globes!  Some of it is a bit much for my preschoolers, but it's a good resource.  We pick through and read the sections that they understand, and it's something they'll grow into over time!

There's a Map on my Lap!  We don't have many Cat in the Hat books, and I was surprised at the amount of information in this one!  It has the normal Cat in the Hat rhythm and rhyme, so the kids enjoy it, but it has a TON of information about maps and globes mixed in, too!

Just as a note, none of the links here are affiliate links, so please don't feel the need to buy through my links!