I’m continuing to have lots of fun with the new Little Passports Early Explorers edition! I’m a Little Passports affiliate and ambassador. As an ambassador, I received a 3-month subscription to the Early Explorers Edition of Little Passports. Today, I want to share some ideas for using a Montessori-inspired approach with the Early Explorers landmarks package. Of course, all opinions are my own. (Note: my Little Passports posts contain affiliate links at no cost to you.)
I love the excitement Little Passports can bring to any study of geography. It can work well in a home with children of multiple ages. In my previous Little Passports posts, I shared ideas for using the Little Passports World Edition with preschoolers. Now there are even more options with the new Early Explorers subscription, which is designed for ages 3-5. (Note: the World Edition is recommended for ages 5-10, and the USA Edition is recommended for ages 7-12.)
In my post today, I’ll share some Montessori-inspired ideas for using the Early Explorers landmarks package with both toddlers and preschoolers.
Little Passports Early Explorers Subscription
Instead of following Sam and Sofia to various countries around the world as in the World Edition, preschoolers follow the adventures of Max, Mia, and their dog, Toby. A different world theme is used each month:
- Landmarks
- Music
- Animals
- Food
- Art
- Natural Wonders
- Oceans
- World Coins
- Space
- World Discoveries
- Dinosaurs
I already wrote about the first month’s package, the Traveler Kit. It contains:
- An orange suitcase
- Wall-sized world map
- 20-page passport/activity booklet
- Luggage tag
- Stickers and wall decal
Contents of the Landmarks Package (photo includes the suitcase from the first month’s Early Explorers Traveler Kit)
Contents of Little Passports Early Explorers Landmarks Package Plus Suitcase from Package 1
After the first month, each package contains:
- 20-page activity booklet
- Souvenirs (landmark replicas this month)
- Flashlight adventures
- Stickers and wall decals
Using Early Explorers with Toddlers
Matching Animals to Little Passports Early Explorers Map
For young toddlers who still mouth objects, the miniature landmarks wouldn’t be safe. Young toddlers will get the most meaning out of an activity other than landmarks anyway. Many toddlers are fascinated by animals (and have some stuffed animals of their own). I happened to have some Beanie Babies that matched the animals pictured on the world map. My 17-month-old granddaughter, Zoey, had fun adding Beanie Babies to their matching place on the map. Matching some of the animals on the world map could be a fun way for your toddler to join in the Little Passports Early Explorers activities each month.
Using Little Passports Early Explorers Landmarks with Preschoolers
Since Early Explorers is designed for ages 3-5, you’ll generally be able to use any of the activities with that age group. Of course, I would still follow your child’s interests. Just have your preschooler do the pages in the activity booklet that he or she is interested in. Many preschoolers prefer hands-on activities to paper-and-pencil activities, so it’s fine for your child to do activities by pointing at the correct answer. And it isn’t essential to complete the whole activity booklet. More important will be any related hands-on activities you can do with your preschooler.
Landmarks and Map Matching Activity
Landmarks and Map Matching Activity
Working with miniature landmarks is a fun way for preschoolers to explore other countries. You could put together a simple landmark tray using the world map from the traveler kit along with the landmarks from the 2nd month’s package. Older toddlers who no longer mouth objects could also enjoy matching the landmarks to the ones pictured on the map.
Adding Landmarks to the Little Passports World Map
Hidden Landmarks Flashlight Adventures Tray
Hidden Landmarks Flashlight Adventures Tray
The flashlight adventures that come with the Early Explorers packages are very inviting. They almost seem magical … most preschoolers would find them fascinating. You could put together a hidden landmarks flashlight adventures tray on an inexpensive bamboo paper plate holder or another tray.
Hidden Landmarks Flashlight Adventures
Continent Map Activities
I shared a number of continent activities in my post about the first package (Traveler edition): Using Little Passports Early Explorers with a Montessori-Inspired Approach. Continent activities would work well each month. In Montessori education, we introduce Montessori globes and then the world continent map. (The links contain ideas for DIY versions.) Any hands-on activities you do with globes and the continent map will be a great extension to the Early Explorers activities.
Check out each of the related continent educational resource boards (which include resources for the related countries included in the Little Passports World Edition packages). The Montessori-Inspired Global Adventure Pinterest Board has lots of activities that would work well with the Early Explorers subscription.
The Pinterest boards contain ideas and activities that can be used to create continent boxes and complete unit studies for a variety of ages to go with your Little Passports packages. I add geography resources to Pinterest each month. Here are links to each of the Pinterest boards in the order the continents are introduced through Little Passports:
Montessori-Inspired Global Adventure (introductory geography resources and 7-continents activities)
*South America Educational Resources
*Australia Educational Resources
*North America Educational Resources
*Antarctica Educational Resources
More about Little Passports
You can sign up for 3 months ($13.95/month with a one-time payment of $41.85), 6 months ($13.95/month with a one-time payment of $83.70), 12 months ($10.95/month with a one-time payment of $131.40), or monthly ($11.95/month, billed monthly and can be cancelled any time).
The USA Edition for 7-12 year olds has the same payment plans and prices as the World Edition. For the first month, the USA Edition subscription starts with the Discovery Kit which comes in a custom Sam and Sofia USA Portfolio and includes:
- An introductory letter from Sam and Sofia
- USA Field Guide
- USA Scratch Book
- USA Wall Map
- Disposable Camera and Photo Scavenger Hunt
Every month after the first month, your child will visit 2 new states and receive:
- A 32-page activity-packed journal covering 2 states
- Stickers
- Pop-out Models
- Postcards
- Access to more information and activities online
You can find out more and subscribe at Little Passports
.
Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!
The Montessori at Home! eBook and Montessori at Home! eBook and Materials Bundle are AMAZING resources! You can learn more about them here. Buy them in the Living Montessori Now shop.
If this is your first time visiting Living Montessori Now, welcome! If you haven’t already, please join us on our Living Montessori Now Facebook page where you’ll find a Free Printable of the Day and lots of inspiration and ideas for parenting and teaching! And please follow me on Pinterest (lots of Montessori-, holiday-, and theme-related boards), Instagram, and YouTube. You can find me on bloglovin’ and Twitter, too.
And don’t forget one of the best ways to follow me by signing up for my weekly newsletter. You’ll receive some awesome freebies in the process!
Love these activities! Thanks for linking up at the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop! We hope you stop by again next week!