How to Teach Children the State Capitals

Teach kids a fun fact about each capital to help them remember.

Learning the names of the state capitals can help children have a better sense of United States geography and government. While rote memorization is always an option, interactive learning may be more fun and have more impact on children. Teach kids the state capitals with a blank state map and flashcards.

Things You'll Need

• Blank map of the United States, with capitals indicated but not named
• Index cards

Instructions

1. List the name of a state on the front of each index card.

2. Add a hint about the capital under the name of the state. For example, for Colorado write “mile-high.”

3. Write the name of the capital on the back on the index card.

4. Give every child a blank state map.

5. Quiz them with the flashcards. Give them the answer the first few times and gradually wean them from the information, giving them only the name of the state and the hint.

6. Offer the children just the state name after several days or weeks to see how many they get right.

7. Continue to quiz and work with the kids. It may take an entire semester to learn all 50.

Tips & Warnings

• Many online games and guides for teaching the state capitals exist. Children may find these fun and stimulating. You can also teach kids a song to the tune of “Turkey in the Straw” to help them remember the names of the state capitals. If you have extra time and a large classroom, you could assign each child two states and capitals about which to research and do a short presentation. The children may then associate the state and state capital with their peers and remember them better.

• You can also purchase ready-made flashcards.

References

• JustMommies: 50 US States and Capitals

Resources

• 50States.com: Blank Outline State Maps
• MrsJonesRoom: The 50 State Capitals Song