How to Make a Treasure Map for Kids Who Don't Read Yet

Use pictures for treasure hunt clues.

Treasure hunts provide a fun way to teach children how to follow directions. Very young children may not be able to read the clues without assistance. Pairing them with other children who do read enables them to know where to go next but robs them of the opportunity to solve problems independently. A pictorial or photographic clue allows all children to participate on their own merits.

Things You'll Need

• Digital camera
• Printer
• Magazines, glue and paper

Instructions

1. 

   Take pictures of all the items and locations.

   Photograph all the locations and items that will be used in the treasure hunt using a digital camera. Tool Factory reading consultant Christine de Graft-Hanson states, "For non-readers, visual imagery and audio support are essential."

2. 

   Print photos from your computer.

   Upload the photos to your computer. Print one copy of each photo from your computer or at your local office supply store, pharmacy or department store photo center.

3. Review the pictures with all of the children who will be participating in the treasure hunt to be sure they know what each picture represents. Allow children to ask questions until they are sure about each photo.

4. Hide the clues and allow children to begin the game.

5. Be available to answer questions about the clues. Encourage children to figure things out for themselves by providing only one part of the answer at a time as an additional verbal clue.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not wish to use photos, have the children look for appropriate pictures in a magazine. Cut them from the magazine and glue them to sheets of construction paper, folded in half. Bidlack Creative Group corrects the assumption that nonreaders are illiterate or unintelligent. According to Bidlack, "Many nonreaders have a penchant for absorbing information, yet may have short attention spans, and don't have deep recall abilities. Many do not hear a voice while reading and tend to think in pictures."

References

• Tool Factory: Storytelling for Nonwriters and Nonreaders
• Bidlack: Strategy Sheet #8 - All About Nonreaders