My approach to geography at Tommy’s age is to expose him to countries, making it as hands-on as possible, and to focus on countries for a few weeks at a time where we have a personal connection. Since our friends the Hopsons are missionaries to Albania, we started there! We’re using Window on the World for a spiritual background of the country. Although the book is a little dated (I don’t believe it’s been updated in the past decade), it has kid-appropriate details, color pictures, and a few key things to pray for. (I have the most recent copy of Operation World for double-checking facts and figures.) We spent the next week doing puzzles and coloring Europe maps to establish its geography (although Tommy has known the location of Albania for years due to his friendship with Miriam Hopson). We drew an outline of the country (and cut and glued it to a folder), colored the flag, recorded some details about the country (again, I’m keeping it pretty basic), and printed up some pictures of the Hopsons.
After reviewing their recent prayer letters, he dictated to me some details about Miriam’s family, what they’re doing over there, and what we can be praying for them.
Of his own initiative, he drew a picture of our two flags–Albania because that’s where the Hopsons are, and the US because that’s where they’re from!
Lastly, we took several days writing a letter to Miriam. He came up with the sentences, then I told him how to spell everything. We cut back on our other handwriting practice on those days because I tried to be pretty picky about writing letters correctly.
Now he’s the proud owner of a little notebook about Albania! We plan to study many other countries, including Honduras, Indonesia (Papua), Uganda, and Russia. (If we don’t know any MKs in the country in question, we’ll probably do more with cooking ethnic dishes (once I’m feeling better), checking out National Geographic pictures, or listening to traditional music.)
Next up: Russia, because our friend Lisa just got back from a missions trip there!
that is really cool!!! what a great idea!!!
This is super cool. One thing, tho, having been in such a situation myself, is it ok for you to post their names and country online? And photo… I know the Thomas’s probably won’t want you to… Have you seen Ann voskamp’s children’s geography? I just borrowed it from a friend. Hoping to get a chance to look thru it soon.
nevermind. I just saw that you linked to their own website where they talk about it all! 🙂 Silly me for not noticing that.
Kristen–you are totally right about your former colleagues. I decided to do the whole photo thing of these friends since they’re not in a sensitive area, but we won’t be posting anything public of anyone else for the very reasons you mention!
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