Geography for Kids - Where We Live

By ages 4 and 5, kids are beginning to learn what they can do to adjust, and they are beginning to see how people change the Earth to their own benefit.

Activities Ages 4-5

• When going through your neighborhood, name the different types of houses you find. Distinguish between 1--story, 2--story, and multi--story houses. You might see apartments, duplexes, townhouses, single family houses, trailers, or farm houses. When you go on a trip, point out dwellings that are different from those in your neighborhood.
  
  
• Animals need shelter too. Point out animal homes such as birds' and squirrels' nests, ant hills, beehives, and barns.
  
  
• Nearly everywhere people are building something. Stop to watch and observe how earth is moved and buildings go up. What materials are being used? Are builders using the stones that are found in your neighborhood, or are they making concrete out of sand and cement?
  
  
• Move the furniture around in your child's room and talk about how you are changing how he or she uses the space.
  
  
• Plant flowers in either a window box or a garden and water them together with your child. Talk about why the plants need water. What happens if you forget to water the plants?
  
  
• If you live in an urban area, try to visit a nearby farm. Some cities and states maintain farm parks for just this purpose. Call the Department of Parks or Recreation in your area to find one near you. Talk with your children about how farmers use natural resources--soil, water, and sun--to grow crops and raise livestock. How do they keep livestock from wandering off? How do they prevent crops from being eaten by birds or destroyed by disease?
  
  
• Spend the day outside with your children. If possible, go camping. It is easy to understand why we wear long pants and shoes when there are rocks and branches on the ground. In the woods, with no plumbing and indoor water, it will be clear why early settlers found it so important to be near water.