Navigate with a map

Give your child a map of a venue that you are visiting, like the zoo, a farm or even a shopping centre, and put them in charge of navigation. Encourage your child to suggest the route you should take and have them navigate you through it.

Things you need

Day trip to a zoo, farm or shopping centre
Venue map.

The challenge

Step 1

Take the opportunity to teach your child about locations the next time you’re both at a public attraction such as a large shopping centre, zoo or farm. Find a venue map and discuss it with your child.

Tip:

Notice and point out if the map has compass points, a scale or a legend (key) to help locate places or attractions.

Step 2

Encourage your child to suggest the route that you'll take to different places and ask them to describe their plan to you.

Encourage them to use words like:

north, south, east and west
north-east, south-east, south-west and north-west
left and right
direction
legend or key
position
scale.

The conversation

After completing this activity, work with your child to create a map of your local town, suburb, farm or even your home to be used by other members of your family for a sightseeing tour. Remember to include compass points, a scale, a legend (key) and important landmarks or attractions..

Road safety tips

When being a road user in the local environment:

Stop! Look! Listen! Think! every time you cross the road
Use a safe place to cross the road
If travelling on a bus wait till the bus has gone and then use a safe place to cross the road
Always wear a helmet when you ride or skate
Walk on the right-hand side of the road facing oncoming traffic when there is no footpath
Be aware of your environment and surroundings by not being distracted by devices and headphones.