A lot of parents focus on reading, writing, and math in the early years but introducing geography is also a fantastic subject to introduce.

In Montessori, Geography is first taught in the Casa curriculum (ages 3-6) because:

1. It's a foundation for antiracism - geography fosters appreciation for diverse cultures, languages, and traditions and it introduces children to the world outside their immediate surroundings.
   
   
2. Helps children understand the globe in a more concrete way - Instead of viewing different places in the world as a vague, faraway concept, the introduction to maps and geography helps children to fully understand where different continents and countries are.
   
   
3. Develops language skills - not only do children learn the names of continents, countries, animals, landmarks, etc., enriching their vocabulary, but they’ll also have conversations about what they’re learning, ask questions, and do further research. It may also pique their interest in learning new languages.  

Three Montessori Geography Activities + Printables

All three activities could be enhanced by doing them alongside a globe or map of the world.  Something less expensive like the Map of the World Floor Puzzle works too.

While your child is learning about the different landmarks, flags and animals, you can point out where they are on the globe/map.

Activity 1: Animals of the Continents Language Cards

There's a set for each of the 7 continents:

• Animals of Europe
• Animals of Asia
• Animals of Antarctica
• Animals of Australia
• Animals of Africa
• Animals of North America
• Animals of South America

How to introduce this activity:

1. Start by introducing each set of animal cards separately. I would recommend starting with the continent the child is on so it's most meaningful to them.
   
   
2. Give your child time to familiarize themselves with the names of the animals. Talk about the animals habitats, what they eat and emphasize the name of the continent in which they live.
   
   
3. Do this with each set of cards and note that it will take time to get through them all. No need to rush.

This post explains in more detail how to introduce language cards in a way that doesn't feel like quizzing your child: https://themontessoriroom.com/blogs/montessori-tips/an-easy-way-to-improve-your-child-s-confidence

Extensions:

• Once your child is familiar with the different sets of animal cards, they can learn to sort them by continent. There are a lot of cards included in this activity. Put some of them aside so that you are left with an amount the child will be able to manage (amount will vary depending on child’s age and familiarity with this type of activity).  I would recommend starting with sorting between 2 continents (the continent you are currently on and another you think your child will find interesting), 3-5 cards for each continent.  
  
  Tip: To make this activity self-correcting, put a coloured dot on the back of each card that corresponds with the continent, i.e. all North American animals have an orange dot. After sorting the cards, the child can turn them over to see if they sorted them correctly.  
  

• Add animal figurines that match the cards.  You can find many of the animals in these TOOB sets: https://themontessoriroom.com/collections/safari-ltd
  
  
• Classify the cards in different ways
• By colour of their fur/feathers/skin
• Mammals, reptiles, amphibians or birds
• Herbivores, carnivores or omnivores
  
  
• Art Activity - choose an animal or group of animals and create a habitat diorama

Activity 2: Flags of the World: 3-Part Language Cards

Again, I would recommend introducing the cards using this approach: https://themontessoriroom.com/blogs/montessori-tips/an-easy-way-to-improve-your-child-s-confidence

And you can print the flag cards by clicking here.

These cards were actually made for teachers because they can be used as a companion to this classroom material: Flags of the World I The Montessori Room.

Extensions:

• Do further research on flags, learning about the meaning of the their different colours and symbols.
• Visit places where flags are displayed, like city halls and other government buildings.  
• Point out a flag wherever you see them. You could turn it into a game where you count how many flags you saw while on a walk or driving around.  
• Art activities - use art materials to recreate the flag(s) your child is interested in. Invite them to create their own flag and talk about what it symbolizes.

Activity 3: Famous Landmarks: 3-Part Language Cards