"I'm the map"

Maps. Our kids love 'em. They have colors, lines, are folded exotically, and adults consult them for important information. Maps are exciting.

When we went to Buffalo last fall, momma drew a simplified map to demonstrate where we were on our trip. Sunday morning, Genevieve drew an impressive three-color globe (blue, green, and black). I'd show you here, but our scanner and/or driver aren't performing well right now, so you'll have to take my word on it -- a fairly round globe with blue oceans and green land part, with people and other items on the edge.

I wonder what Genevieve makes of the various maps she sees, and why does "where do I live" look so different from map to map. I barely think of having to translate a city map from a state map from a national map from a world map, but she is exposed to all of these and the place that we point to in response to that question looks very different on each of those. At the very least, she has traveled a little within this country, so she can get a sense of how far places can be.

And of course, there is the map from Dora the Explorer -- another reason for pre-K's and tykes to like maps.

[Dora photo ©2006 Nick Jr. -- Dora, The Map, Backpack, and Boots in a drawing cell from a Dora the Explorer episode.]