Farms Around the World Mapping
Supports agricultural awareness, STEM integration, literacy, and social-emotional development at the IPC Level 1 stage.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS At the Farm
- Learning area: Geography
- Level: EYFS 3-4
Objectives
- Developmentally appropriate objectives aligned to IPC Level 1 for Farms Around the World Mapping.
Materials
- Level-appropriate farm-themed materials and manipulatives.
Instructions
Materials
- A large world map or globe.
- Printed photographs of diverse farm types, such as a rice paddy, a dairy farm, and a sheep station.
- Small toy farm animals and miniature crops.
- Blue painter tape for floor boundaries.
- Glue sticks and sugar paper.
Learning Objectives
- Identify that farms exist in different locations across the world.
- Match specific animals or crops to their corresponding farm environment.
- Develop spatial awareness by placing items on a map.
- Practise verbal communication by describing what they see in the photographs.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Gather the children in a circle and display the world map on the floor.
2. Explain that farms look different depending on where they are located on the earth.
3. Show a photograph of a rice paddy and ask the children to describe the water and the green plants.
4. Place the photograph near a region on the map where rice is commonly grown.
5. Invite children to place toy animals, such as a camel or a cow, onto the map near the corresponding farm photos.
6. Use painter tape to create a small zone on the map for each farm type to help children visualize boundaries.
7. Encourage children to move around the map, pointing to different regions as you name them.
8. Ask children to pick one photograph and glue it onto a piece of paper, then draw a line connecting it to a spot on the map.
9. Conclude the activity by singing a song about farm animals to reinforce the connection between the animals and their homes.
Educator Tip
Keep the session brief to match the attention span of three-year-olds. If children become restless, focus on the sensory aspect of the toy animals rather than the abstract concept of geography. You can extend this by adding a sensory bin filled with rice or soil next to the map.
Assessment
- Observe if the child can correctly match at least one animal to a farm environment.
- Note if the child can point to a location on the map when prompted by the teacher.
- Record the ability of the child to participate in the group discussion about farm differences.
Educator tip
Guided questioning to encourage language, reasoning, and participation. Differentiate for ability levels; incorporate sensory supports; ensure safety.
Assessment
Observe and note: ability to follow two-step instructions, use of new vocabulary in context, early problem-solving strategies, and sustained shared thinking episodes. Assess against Development Matters age-band expectations. Observation checklist or rubric aligned to developmental stage.