The development of children's understanding of maps: Literature review, methodological considerations, and a new measurement approach

Map use is a complex skill that comprises several components; accordingly, the development of children's map understanding and map use is a complex an d temporally extended process. The present article first reviews methods of studying children's understanding of maps and discusses the implications o f different approaches. Then, using Piaget's theory as a starting point, th e current evidence about development and acquisition of aspects of map unde rstanding in preschool and early. school age is reviewed. Finally, a new it em material for the systematic assessment of various components of map unde rstanding is introduced.