Assessment - Maps - EYFS

In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the concept of a map is introduced to pupils as a way of understanding and representing the world around them. A map is essentially a visual representation of an area, showing different features such as houses and streets, which helps children to grasp spatial relationships and navigate their environment.

During the assessment phase, practitioners look for certain key indicators to gauge a pupil's comprehension of maps. They observe whether the child can correctly use the terms 'forwards' and 'backwards' in a real-world context, and whether they understand the concepts of 'left' and 'right', possibly aided by arrows to indicate direction. It is also important for the child to start recognising that real-world objects, like houses and streets, can be depicted on a map. As the child's knowledge expands, they should begin to use more complex directional language such as 'over', 'under', 'around', and 'between' to describe routes and locations. Additionally, the ability to correlate photographs of places with their graphical representations on a map is a significant step in understanding how maps work and their practical application in everyday life.