Spotting Landmarks
Here's What To Do
1
Plan a trip for your child to experience riding public transportation, like a bus, train, tram, light rail, or ferry (ideally something where you can look out the window together).
2
Ask your child to notice familiar landmarks at your starting destination.
3
Sit near a window. Throughout your journey, encourage your child to point out familiar places and landmarks they see.
4
Ask your child to notice familiar landmarks at your ending destination.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Plan this trip when you’re not in a hurry and during non-peak hours.
E
Engage:
- "We're getting on the bus at the Franklin Street stop. Do you notice anything around the bus stop that you recognize?"
- "While we're on the train, can you look out the window and see if we can see any familiar places?"
E
Encourage:
- Prompt your child to notice familiar things out the window, like: "There's a red brick building I think you know. What is it?"
- Smile and show excitement when your child notices familiar landmarks during your ride.
R
Reflect:
- Does your child seem to recognize any familiar places?
Not quite ready?
As you move throughout your daily routine, ask your child to be on the lookout for your destinations.
Ready for more?
On a public transportation trip, ask your child to notice other familiar features like parks, bodies of water, and hills.
As your child masters this skill...
They will be able to identify familiar places and landmarks.