After the children in the Sea Lion group became interested in letters and keeping in touch with close friends and other children in the preschool yard, they started asking follow-up questions like, “Where are these places?” and “How do we get there?” Their inquiry continues to unlock heightened levels of exploration for the children beyond the CEC. They want to know where each street goes and discovered that each road leads to a new place. The curious children ask where friends’ houses are or where they can find their favorite neighborhood park.

The children have gone on several field trips, which have furthered their navigation skills. They observe as they walk in La Canada how one street takes them to another. Tunnels, bridges, and other structures are a fascinating topic of discussion as the children make predictions about what kinds of places might be on the other side. The children use these predictions and observations as they, create new maps to use on their next excursion trip. Teachers use these maps and, turn by turn help the children to the next desired destination, such as Hahamongna park.

These adventures in navigation have led to more detailed maps, first drawing out streets, then adding in local houses and schools. Recognizing this, the teachers now bring in conventional maps for the children to study and reference when creating their own maps. They have also brought in books on navigation and direction so the children can learn more about what a map does and how to create their own. Scaffolding on this new information about the broader world, the children are building small cities made of blocks and cardboard. According to Lead Teacher Ofelia, “In their earlier developmental stages, the children would build based on their imagination, but now they are building based on what they see and have a greater ability to of conceptualize the world around them.”

As the children learned more about how maps are used in their day-to-day life, they discuss these ideas amongst themselves. Map-making is not a single-person job after all! The children of the Sea Lion group frequently ask their friends about creating maps, sharing opinions about which street is where and what house belongs on which block. “At this stage in their development, it’s important that we see this intentional play from the children; visualizing things in the environment then transferring it to paper or even play,” shared Ofelia. Discovering the world around them is a part of growing up for children. The children of the Sea Lion room are ready to explore the outside world and will even draw a map to guide them along the way.