LITERACY AND NUMERACY - Geography
While you sometimes see young children reciting state capitals on TV, geography isn't necessarily an area that many preschool age children master. Instead of memorizing facts, at this age parents should focus on aspects of their own community to instill geography skills. By kindergarten, children have a beginning awareness that life is about more than just them: they realize that the world is opening up, and the community circles that surround them are getting bigger.
To learn about their growing community, Fay's kindergarteners often meet with our international boarding students in grades 7-9, who come from more than 23 countries. Recently, students from Mexico read a book to kindergarteners about Mexico's history and traditions, and then students had a chance to ask questions, sing and dance to a traditional Mexican song, and even create their own mariachi guitars. This immersive experience helped expand the students' understanding about what it would be like to live in a different country.
You can broaden your own child's horizons this summer by asking family and friends who are traveling to send postcards to your child. When your child receives the postcard, show the location on a map and talk about the pictures and message written on the postcard. When your family and friends return from their trips, they can even share photos, videos, and stories with your child.
