South America: Political (50)
Fifty political maps of South America, showing the countries. Twelve countries and two very large ones is a manageable set: a child can learn all of South America in a way they cannot yet learn all of Africa or Asia, which makes this the continent to finish first. Finishing one continent completely is worth more than starting four. Paper with laminate, for ages 3 to 12.
“The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, 'The children are now working as if I did not exist.'”
The South America Political Map introduces young children to the distinct shapes and boundaries of South American countries through visual isolation and repetition.
- Visual discrimination of country shapes and sizes
- Spatial awareness of South American geography
- Memory development through shape recognition
- Fine motor control during tracing activities
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This unlabeled political map serves as a control chart for the puzzle map work, allowing children to match puzzle pieces to their corresponding outlines while building geographic awareness. The clear country borders on this map provide the visual reference point children need when working independently with three-dimensional puzzle pieces. Through repeated matching exercises between the political map and puzzle pieces, children absorb the unique shapes of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and other nations before formal instruction begins. The map's simplified presentation removes distracting details like city names or terrain features, focusing attention solely on political boundaries. This political map bridges concrete puzzle work with abstract geographic concepts, preparing children to eventually locate and name countries independently.
How to present it
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Place the political map flat on a table or mat. Have the South America puzzle map nearby with pieces removed and arranged on a tray.
- 1
Invite the child to match one puzzle piece at a time to its outline on the political map
Start with distinctive shapes like Chile's long narrow form - 2
Show how to trace around each country's border with the index finger
Move slowly and deliberately to internalize the shape - 3
Return the puzzle piece to its frame, checking against the political map
Encourage self-correction by comparing shapes - 4
Repeat with remaining countries, working from largest to smallest
Brazil and Argentina provide good starting points
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