It’s difficult for young children to understand their relationship to the larger world – and to the universe especially. Cosmic nesting cubes, map towers, and “Me on the Map” activities are great ways for them to gain a better understanding.
While these aren’t all specific Montessori activities, they are very Montessori-compatible and would fit in well with a Montessori program or homeschool. Following are some great ideas I found online.
Cosmic Nesting Boxes
The DIY cosmic nesting boxes I’ve found are based on the Waseca Cosmic Nesting Boxes. I LOVE these for showing the child’s place in relationship to space.
DIY Cosmic Nesting Boxes (Photo from Kingdom of the Pink Princesses)
Kingdom of the Pink Princesses made inexpensive cosmic nesting boxes from toddler nesting boxes and started with the universe.
Map Towers
I’m differentiating the map towers here as similar to the cosmic nesting boxes except that they typically go from earth to the child. Here are a number of creative variations:
Map Tower (Photo from One Hook Wonder)
One Hook Wonder made a map tower of earth-North America-state-town-house. (Unfortunately, the blog is no longer available.)
Life with Moore Babies started with a printable of the earth and made nesting boxes with Rubbermaid containers.
Global Address Nesting Boxes (Photo by Jessie of The Education of Ours at Mommy Moment)
At Mommy Moment, Jessie from The Education of Ours has global address nesting boxes.
“Me on the Map” Activities
“Me on the Map” activities can be used alone or with nesting boxes. I think it would be great to have both DIY cosmic nesting boxes and an extension “Me on the Map” activity.
You’ll find lots of free “Me on the Map” printables and activities in my “Free Me on the Map Printables and Montessori-Inspired Me on the Map Activities” post.
Finally in First seems to be the start of the “Me on the Map” nesting activities online.
Me on the Map (Photo from Counting Coconuts)
Counting Coconuts has a similar “Me on the Map” activity.
Kid World Citizen and 365 Days of Pinterest Creations also have “Me on the Map” activities.
Me on the Map (Photo from Noor Janan Homeschool)
Noor Janan Homeschool has a “Me on the Map” activity with free printables.
123 Homeschool 4 Me has a “Where Do I Live?” activity with free “Expanding Horizons Template.”
Making Montessori Ours has lots of Montessori-inspired activities for a “Where do I live? Unit.”
Pencils, Glue, & Tying Shoes has a “Me on the Map” activity with printable templates that are free if you’re a member of Scribd.
Teachers Pay Teachers has many free “Me on the Map” printables.
The Montessori By Mom Earth Exploration Toolbox has activities that help children understand more about the world and their place on the map, including a “my place in the world” activity in the online resources area for anyone who’s purchased the Earth Exploration Toolbox.
Every Star Is Different has Montessori continents and oceans printables for preschool through early elementary.
For more DIY materials, check out my DIY Montessori materials post.
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I am putting together a Star Wars Galaxy vs. God’s Galaxy co-op course that these ideas could fit nicely into. Thank you.
Thanks for your comment, Martianne! That sounds like a fascinating co-op course! 🙂
I love the nesting boxes! Those look awesome. I’ve had the Me on the Map activity pinned for a rainy day, but we haven’t got around to making that yet. I’m definitely going to have to work it in soon. It’s just such a neat representation!
And in trying to keep with the theme, I linked up our space themed sensory tub. It was my second ever attempt at a sensory tub, and very simple. But we still had a lot of fun with it!
Thanks, Casey! I love all the Me on the Map resources … I’ll have fun preparing one when I have grandkids! 😉 Thanks for linking up your space themed sensory tub. It looks great!
Thanks for mentioning our nesting boxes. It is fun to see what others have done; I had no idea there were so many variations!
Thanks for your comment, Ashley! And my pleasure … your idea is great! I was amazed to see so many variations, too. 🙂
I love all the diffeent ways to help children learn map skills. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Discovering Montessori! It’s quite amazing how many different ideas there are, isn’t it?!
Fabulous, and for elementary grades, also! Pinned! Carolyn
Thanks so much, Carolyn! I really appreciate your pinning my post! 🙂
Thanks, Deb! We still love that work 🙂 Happy fall!
My pleasure, Jessie … that’s an awesome activity! Happy fall to you, too! 🙂
Thank you so much for linking up- I can’t wait to try the cosmic nesting box/tower!!! We have an ABC box tower set that I could cover to make this… such a great idea!
I just love this collection of ways that kids can get an idea of where they live and how we fit in the world. I’ll be featuring you on our Discover & Explore round-up this week – thanks so much for sharing the post with us!