Methods of teaching the geography of the Earth to a kindergarten child

Abstract

     This research aims to identify methods for teaching the geography of the Earth to kindergarten children, specifically focusing on educational units about the Earth's rotation and movement in the universe. This is achieved by examining the curriculum used in Iraqi kindergartens. After analyzing the curriculum content, the researcher posed several questions regarding methods for teaching kindergarten children the four cardinal directions of the Earth, the geographical paths of the universe, and the nature of planetary orbits. These questions were posed by children to their teachers about God's creation of the universe, the paths of the sun, moon, Earth, and other planets, the occurrence of day and night, the course of rivers and lakes, and the nature of the Earth's layers and atmosphere. The researcher began by collecting ten questions during field visits to kindergartens in Kut, the capital of Wasit Governorate, specifically at the Model Child Village and Future Child Schools, under the Wasit Directorate of Education. These ten questions and hypotheses were then used to create a mock test with questions and answers. The child's questions, stemming from their confusion in seeking answers to these scientific questions, were addressed in a sample of (50) children from two kindergartens. A tool was used to measure the methods of teaching children Earth's geography by asking kindergarten teachers about the nature of their teaching and learning methods for studying the universe and the Earth. The teachers' responses included questions about these methods, which were: (educational pictures, documentaries, dialogue, discussion, illustrated questions, illustrated stories, illustrated lectures, illustrated puzzles, demonstrations, and illustrated and electronic maps). The study concluded that children's study of the universe and Earth's geography is primarily conducted through dialogue, discussion, illustrated questions, illustrated stories, and illustrated and electronic maps. The researcher offered some recommendations and suggestions. Methods of Teaching Earth's Geography to Kindergarten Children: An Analytical Field Study in Light of the Iraqi Kindergarten Curriculum. This research aims to identify methods of teaching Earth's geography to kindergarten children by studying the Iraqi curriculum units related to the Earth's rotation and movement in the universe, and analyzing This study investigated the teaching methods used in kindergartens in Al-Kut, Wasit Governorate. Researchers used exploratory questions from the children (10 questions) and transformed them into test questions for the teachers. The study was conducted on a sample of 50 children from the "Model Child Village" and "Child's Future" schools. A list of teaching methods was presented (pictures, films, dialogue, stories, presentations, electronic maps, etc.). The results indicated that dialogue and discussion, illustrated questions, illustrated stories, and maps (both physical and electronic) were the most effective methods for teaching geography to children. A set of recommendations is offered to improve teaching practices in this area(Methods of teaching the geography, a kindergarten child).