Farms Around the World Mapping
Supports agricultural awareness, STEM integration, literacy, and social-emotional development at the Infant stage.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS At the Farm
- Learning area: Geography
- Level: EYFS Birth-2
Objectives
- Developmentally appropriate objectives aligned to Infant for Farms Around the World Mapping.
Materials
- Level-appropriate farm-themed materials and manipulatives.
Instructions
Materials
- A large world map printed on durable, wipeable vinyl or fabric.
- Four soft, plush farm animal toys (cow, sheep, chicken, pig).
- High-contrast photographs of diverse global farm landscapes.
- A shallow basket for holding the animal props.
- A soft floor mat for comfortable positioning.
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate visual tracking by following the movement of an animal toy across the map.
- Respond to sensory input through touch and auditory cues during the activity.
- Engage in social interaction by maintaining eye contact with the teacher.
- Exhibit curiosity by reaching toward or grasping the animal props.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Lay the soft floor mat in a quiet area of the classroom and place the world map in the centre.
2. Position the infants on their tummies or backs around the map to ensure they have a clear view of the surface.
3. Show the infants one plush animal at a time and name the animal clearly.
4. Make the animal sound to provide an auditory connection to the visual prop.
5. Slowly move the plush animal across different regions of the map, allowing the infants to track the movement with their eyes.
6. Place the animal on a specific continent on the map and point to the colours or textures of the map beneath it.
7. Encourage the infants to reach out and touch the plush animal or the surface of the map.
8. Narrate the process by describing the textures, such as saying, "The cow is standing on the soft green part of the map."
9. Rotate the animals frequently to maintain interest and provide varied sensory experiences.
10. Conclude the activity by gathering the animals back into the basket while singing a simple farm-themed song.
Educator Tip
Infants have short attention spans, so keep the session brief and responsive to their cues. If an infant loses interest, transition immediately to a different sensory focus or end the activity to avoid overstimulation.
Assessment
- Observe if the infant turns their head to track the movement of the plush animal.
- Note if the infant reaches for or attempts to grasp the animal props.
- Record vocalizations or changes in facial expression when the teacher makes animal sounds.
Educator tip
Guided questioning to encourage language, reasoning, and participation. Differentiate for ability levels; incorporate sensory supports; ensure safety.
Assessment
Observe and note: sustained engagement, sensory responses, early vocalisations, and attachment behaviours. Document using the Characteristics of Effective Learning framework (Playing and Exploring). Observation checklist or rubric aligned to developmental stage.