Montclair State University Wayfinding Lab

✨️Happy New Year from the Wayfinding Lab✨️

Do you know how kids learn to find their way?

By using landmarks, directions, and memory!

When children notice things like “the bench is to the right of the path,” they’re practicing wayfinding skills that support learning and independence.

🏡Kids ages 6–10 get much better at remembering routes using landmarks like benches, trees, and buildings

↩️Talking about directions (left/right, near/far) strengthens spatial thinking

Wayfinding activities can help build memory and confidence!

Our Wayfinding Lab lets kids explore, play, and contribute to real research while having fun along the way! 🚶‍♀️🌳

❗️Alert - It's a Wayfinding Challenge❗️

🔍🕵🏻‍♀️“The Landmark Detective!”

This week, have your child become a Landmark Detective during your walk or drive!

Ask them to pick 3 landmarks they notice along the way—like a big tree, a colorful sign, or a funny-shaped mailbox. 🌳📫🎨

When you get home, challenge them to retell the route using those landmarks 🤔💭🔍

First we passed the tall tree or then we saw the blue playground 🛝🌲

This helps kids build spatial memory and strengthens the way they describe routes.

Fun + science = perfect combo! ✨🗺️

Did you know?

Kids between the ages of 6 to 10 go through a big glow-up in their navigation skills! ✨🧭

By age 6, many children can follow a route by spotting nearby landmarks — like “Turn at the big yellow slide!” 🛝🌳

As they get closer to age 10, they level up and start creating mental maps of places. That means they can imagine where things are, even when they can’t see them yet. Like a tiny human GPS! 🧠🧒🗺️

These growing spatial skills help with future STEM abilities like problem-solving, planning, and understanding how systems fit together. 🚀✨

Hey everyone!

I'm a research assistant at the Wayfinding Lab at Montclair State University, and we're conducting an exciting study to learn how kids navigate their surroundings!

We're looking for children aged 6-10 to participate in this fun research project. Participants will get a chance to explore our college campus and contribute to important research. Plus, there's a $75 compensation for taking part!

Check out the flyer for all the details. If you're interested, you can sign up for your in-person session at the bottom of the page here: https://www.msuspatiallab.com/copy-of-spatial-skills-in-children
If you have any questions, drop us a message! Let's learn and explore together!
Thank you!