Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Learning · The activity desk
Observe a globe together
Look at a globe or world map and draw an imaginary Earth.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
A globe or reliable world map, paper and large child-appropriate crayons
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Place the globe or map where both players can see it.
Adult's role: Explain that a globe is a model of Earth. Help find water and land; let the child know their drawing is not a geographic map.
Let's make it happen
- Look for blue water and areas of land on the globe or map. Notice their shapes and colors.
- Draw a large circle for Earth and add your own land and water shapes inside it.
- Compare your picture with the reference and talk about a place your family knows or wants to learn about.
Make it simpler: Point to a blue area on the reference and draw a blue circle.
Clean up: Put the reference, paper and crayons away.
Use intact crayons suitable for your child and stay nearby.