Your Ultimate Guide to Montessori Geography

Are you wondering how to teach Montessori geography? Teaching kids about the world is not easy, but necessary.

Montessori geography lessons, activities, and materials are a beautiful and unique part of early childhood and elementary classrooms.

Geography Understanding & Child Development

Before we dive into the lessons within Montessori Geography, let’s take a step back and consider child development. What is happening in children’s brains throughout the early childhood classroom?

Two and Three-Year-Olds

Becoming more aware of the physical aspects of identity, such as skin color, hair color and texture, eye shape and color, and other physical characteristics.
Become aware of gender differences
May begin to notice obvious physical disabilities, such as a person using a wheelchair.
Organize their self-concepts around physical features and motor performance, such as “I have long hair.” “I can jump high.”
May begin to show signs of “pre-prejudices.” They may show fear of approaching people that look different than themselves or may only play with dolls or children that look like themselves.

Three and Four-Year-Olds

Seek explanations for differences
Are aware of their own and others’ physical characteristics and differences in gender
May question why various religious beliefs and holiday observances are different.
Begin to wonder if skin, hair, and eye color will remain constant as they begin to recognize that getting older brings physical changes. May ask questions like “Will my skin color change when I grow up?” and “Will you always be white?”
May begin to ask questions about people with obvious physical disabilities and their physical differences.

Four to Five-Year-Olds

Begin to build a group ethnic identity
Can more fully explore the range of differences and similarities within and between racial and ethnic groups
Begin to understand scientific explanation for differences in skin color, hair texture, and eye shape
Are more aware of family traditions and family history

There are two main parts of Montessori geography learning:

Physical Geography
Political (or Cultural) Geography

We begin with the big picture (e.g., the universe) and eventually get to the details of a community, home, family, and ourselves.

A primary aim of the Montessori works is to introduce children to the fact that we are a small part of this giant universe, and within that universe, we must co-exist with many other things in life.

Montessori Geography for Preschoolers - Lessons, Materials, Activities, and Resources

Montessori Geography Scope & Sequence

I adapted this Montessori geography sequence of lessons from coursework, lectures, and Montessori “textbooks” used throughout my training. You will find many Montessori geography lessons the same, but the sequence will differ.

Physical Geography Works

Introduction to the Universe
Planets of the Solar System
Constellations
Layers of the Sun
Layers of the Earth
Land, Air, & Water
Land & Water Globe
Land & Water Forms
Biomes & Habitats
Continent Globe
Globe to Map (“The Earth is a Sphere” lesson)
Puzzle Maps
Making Maps with Puzzle Maps
Cardinal Direction / Compass Rose
Introducing Scales & Measurement

Cultural Geography Works

State – Where We Live State Study (and Map Making)
City/Community – Where We Live City Study (and Map Making)
Home – Where We Live Study (and Map Making)
Anti-Bias Work (e.g., What is a Family?, Peace Flag Activities)
Flags of the World (Make Your Map Activity)
Parts of the Flag
Continent Boxes

Cultural Geography Activities

Montessori Geography Activities

Montessori Geography Resources

Montessori geography materials are beautiful and worth every penny. There are loads of Montessori geography extensions across a wide age range.

I hope you found this list of Montessori geography resources helpful! Join our private Facebook group for the latest in Montessori Living & Learning!

Marnie