Once Again, the World Isn’t Flat
The Sandpaper Globe is a valuable and engaging learning material used in Montessori education to introduce preschoolers to the concept of geography and the Earth’s continents. This tactile and multisensory tool bridges the gap between the concrete and the abstract, allowing young learners to explore and comprehend the world around them through hands-on exploration.
The Sandpaper Globe is a spherical model of the Earth with textured sandpaper material representing the continents. Since each continent has a distinct texture, children can easily identify and differentiate them through touch. This tactile experience aids children in internalising the shapes and locations of the continents, laying the groundwork for future geography lessons.
Image Credit: https://www.nwmontessori.vic.edu.au/making-a-sandpaper-globe/
Preschoolers explore the continents by tracing their fingers along the textured surfaces of the Sandpaper Globe. This activity not only helps with fine motor skills development, but it also stimulates their sense of touch, which improves sensory perception and cognitive learning. When children play with the Sandpaper Globe, they form a meaningful and multisensory connection to the geography of the world.
The Sandpaper Globe also teaches basic geographical terminology and concepts. Preschoolers learn the names of the continents as well as the terms ‘land’ and ‘water’, which are used to differentiate between the Earth’s major landmasses and oceans. This early geography exposure promotes language development and broadens their vocabulary.
In addition, the Sandpaper Globe piques the interest and wonder of young students. Children are captivated by the diversity and vastness of the world as they explore the shapes and sizes of the continents. This fascination with the geography of the Earth lays the groundwork for future learning and fosters awe for the natural world.
Image Credit: https://makeagif.com/gif/baby-spins-globe-eklhDH
Furthermore, in Montessori education, the Sandpaper Globe serves as a jumping off point for more advanced geography lessons. After learning about the continents, children can move on to learning about countries, cultures and geographical features. The Sandpaper Globe serves as a springboard for further exploration of the world’s regions and ecosystems.
The Sandpaper Globe also promotes a sense of world citizenship and respect for diverse cultures. Preschoolers gain an early understanding of the world’s diversity and the interconnectedness of all people by being exposed to different continents and their locations. This understanding of global perspectives fosters empathy, tolerance and respect for people from different cultures and backgrounds.
To summarise, the Sandpaper Globe is a valuable tool in Montessori education that introduces preschoolers to geography in a tactile and engaging way. Children develop spatial awareness, cognitive skills and an early appreciation for the world’s diversity through touch and exploration. The Sandpaper Globe serves as a catalyst for future geographic learning, instilling curiosity and awe in children about the wonders of the Earth. The Sandpaper Globe lays the groundwork for young learners to become responsible and compassionate global citizens by promoting global citizenship and cultural understanding.
