Every kid should have a map. Actually, I believe that every kid should have several maps and a globe, perhaps a map puzzle and a place mat. As you can see, I think the world (ha!) of maps!

Since I’ve found that just having things around me helps me to remember them, I find maps a great way to introduce a child to the greater world. Our house is filled with them. And every time we mention grandma in another country or our old friend in another state, my son walks over to the wall and looks for the place about which we are talking.

Maps help a child understand from where penguins come and from where his or her family emoigrated. It helps him understand where exactly that war we are fighting is taking place and where Santa is supposed to live. It helps her to follow the trail to the Little House in The Big Woods and helps her figure out where the space shuttle lands.

Maps are easy to hang – a bit of tape will do to display this US Map and the compact size means an empty wall in a child’s room or in the hallway will do just fine.