Archived: Early Childhood: Where Learning Begins Geography

How Do Ideas Travel?

Many ideas come from beyond our immediate surroundings.  How do they get to us? 

Information moves from one person to another through telephones, mail, television, radio, faxes,

and computers.  Even posters, bumper stickers, and graffiti communicate ideas.

Ages 2–3

u Two--year--olds learn that ideas and information travel.  Teach your children to talk on

the telephone with Mommy or Daddy at work or Grandma who lives in another house.

They need to learn to say ``hello'' and ``goodbye,'' and to learn that the person at the other

end of the line cannot see them, so they must use words to communicate.

u Give toddlers a lot of paper, crayons, and markers so they can send messages to others. 

Their early scribbles are without form, but as they get older the letters and pictures may

become clearer.

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Toddlers see the mail being delivered. They can scribble on paper and give you their

pictures to mail to Grandpa.

Ages 4–5

u By watching television and listening to the radio, your children will receive ideas from

the outside world.  Where do the television shows they watch come from?  What about

radio shows?

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Encourage children to communicate with friends and relatives. They can dictate letters to

them, or send them pictures.  They can talk with them on the telephone.

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Go around your house and count all the different ``communications systems.''  There are

the more obvious things like a telephone, a radio, and a television set. You might even

have a computer or an intercom. Count the mailbox, as well as the newspaper, magazines,

and books from which you get information.  Don't forget pens and pencils.

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