I introduced an old street map to the dress up area the other day. After noticing how much the kids were studying it I suggested that they spread it out on the table to see it a little better.
I grabbed some markers and circled a landmark at the bottom and also at the top of the map. One interested child then traced along the roads, like a maze, to create a path from start to finish.
After the introduction they started circling their own start and finish locations. I suggested using a different color marker each time to help prevent confusion.
They experimented with both long and short trips. They also realized the blue lines were rivers and avoided traveling on those.
It wasn't long before they started asking what different lines and colors and symbols meant.
Of course some friends prefer "the road less traveled."
