Early Childhood Literacy Spot #1: Street Directory

Add a local street directory or road map to your child’s home corner play, bookshelf or reading nook.  Most children are fascinated by the symbols and markings a street directory contains.  I once had a child solemnly tell me that the red cross which marks a hospital in our local street directory was “where Jesus died.”

Learning that symbols can be used to represent places, people, things and ideas is an essential part of early literacy learning.

Adding a street directory as a prop for dramatic role play encourages a child to imitate using this real life tool in their play, reinforcing the importance of literacy to everyday living.

What is Childhood 101’s Literacy Spot? It is a weekly reminder of the importance of young children learning playfully as each week I share one idea for playing with literacy, taken from my many years working as an early childhood teacher.

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8 Comments

  1. I really need to get maps into our dramatic play area. What do you think is the best way to introduce maps?

    1. You have inspired me to write a post with suggestions for how to do this, Katherine. Watch out for it in the next few days.

  2. Great idea. My girls love their atlases and inflatable world globe. Annie very much enjoys tracking our travels on phone GPS.

  3. Catherine says:

    I should have thought of this. My eldest son is really into maps and I am trying to get him to realise that he has skills to interpret what’s going on when looking at books. He keeps telling me he can’t understand books because he can’t read yet.

  4. Christie, it’s probably because I’m too sleep deprived at the moment to think clearly…but could you give an example of how you would incorporate a street map to dramatic play? I can visualize a street map featuring in play for older kids (treasure hunts, etc.) but for the little ones….I’m drawing a blank.

    “Adding a street directory as a prop for dramatic role play…”

    1. No problems, Shana, you are the second mama to ask so watch out for a post of ideas in the next few days 🙂

  5. Can’t wait to see! I see so many great things and then sometimes, when it comes my time to do it, I just don’t know where to start!

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