Toddlers and the world (and planets.)

Gingham_Ribbon

I have a 27 month old boy who is fascinated by maps/globes etc, particularly Africa. My geography is poor to say the least but we look at maps on line and he has a globe in his bedroom with the names of the countries on. He can already point out more than a dozen countries on any given map and I'm running out of ideas.

I don't want to spend a lot on toys and books. But any ideas on games etc that I can play with him to encourage his passion would be appreciated. Any toys or books that people have found good I'd appreciate knowing about too. I haven't seen anything particularly inspiring at the library. Most books aimed at 2 year olds seem to be stories etc. I haven't found any 'geography' books that would be suitable.

His other big thing seems to be planets so if anyone has any suggestions for games, toys or books where he can learn about them too would be great. There seems to be a wealth of choice for kids who are interested in farm animals and trains, but where do I find ideas to suit HIS interests?

Thanks from a mum who's already being left behind by a very busy headed tot. :eek:

PLEASE SEE POST 95 FOR NEW QUESTIONS! THANKS.

ALI1973

Hi there, cant really help on the planet front, but ELC do a map game (I think its aimed at slightly older children, but always found that as long as I helped out mine mamanged). I think its about £5 or £6.

HTH Love Ali

Lillibet_2

Natural world sell a set of glow in the dark planets & stars for about a fiver, you can stick them on his ceiling over his bed. They absorb light when the lights are on then glow for ages in the dark. They come with a "map" of the solar system so you can get them in the right order!
Edit : Foud the link here :
http://www.thenaturalworld.com/NaturalWorldSite/product/7500066.htm

Also the BBC site has this solar system game
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/playspace/games/jigsaw

HTH;)

Crispy_Ambulance

My inlaws bought the kids a Children's Map of the World for Christmas and it is fab! I was surprised as usually they buy complete crud but I am very impressed with this.

It is pretty big but it looks great on my son's wall and is beautifully illustrated with fish swimming in the oceans etc. I don't know where they got it from but the contact details on it are
https://www.dinosmaps.com

I had a quick look at the site and it gives details of UK distributors and they also do some interesting books as well.

For this kind of thing, Dorling Kindersley or Usborne books usually do something factual and nice, although maybe a wee bit old for your little one. I have also seen a lovely book about children around the world, possibly produced by Unicef, but don't have any more details, sorry.

Willxx

you can d/l a free virtual moon software here:

http://www.astrosurf.com/avl/UK_index.html

much too old for your little one yet but you may get some piccys etc that can be of use, then theres always Google Earth (http://earth.google.com/) which is amazing and being improved all the time.

hardpressed

Get yourself a simple book about the night sky, Usborn used to do one, don't know if it's still in print, look in the charity shops. Then when you get a chance look at the stars and moon together. The moon is easier if you don't live a dark part of the country. Light polution is ruining the night sky. Point out the simple constellations like Casiopia, shaped like a big W or the plough and the pole star or the shape of the moon how it changes each night. I've always been facinated by the stars. Good luck you might have budding astronaught there!

Becles

Have you got Sky TV?

There are some really interesting programmes on the Discovery and other documentary channels. Some may be a little old for him, but it's worth flicking through on rainy days, as you never know what you can find!

My two watch all sorts of documentaries about various things that capture their attention.

Gingham_Ribbon

Thanks everyone. Some great ideas there. We have the luminous stars and planets already. I think that was the start of his interest. They really are a great buy.

We don't have Sky, but he does seem to be fascinated by the primary Geography programmes in the mornings!

Any other ideas gratefully received. I might have a look and see if there are any fancy dress ideas on another thread too. I have a feeling we're going to need to make a space suit at some point too!

troll35

One idea I read somewhere about helping children to learn about the world and where different places are was to put a large map on your table with clear plastic table covering over it to protect it. This then becomes a talking point at the table. (Obviously aimed at slightly older children) I've got the map and the table covering and I've just got to use them. Will report back.

Gingham_Ribbon

That is PERFECT! Seriously, this is what we do all the time. Having it at the table will do WONDERS for dinner time. Brilliant idea! (I'm not trying to hothouse him into some kind of geographer! He's just really into maps!)

tango

My son GR has always been fascinated by maps, geography and the planets,he is 6,he knows all the planets and how big they are and which order they are from the sun.
I bought him a 3d space projector from argos,which he sometimes has on at night,and he loves it.He also knows about 30 flags!!