One of the best resources we have in our house?
The vertical spaces. That’s right – the walls.
When the kids walk down this hallway, they are constantly stopping to look at the maps and {maybe less often} the Periodic Table.
Recently, this principle was driven home again. I was looking for a place to hang the Tapestry of Grace Map of the Humanities {Full Disclosure: Even though this looks like a great program, we have decided not to use it because it is just too intense for my level of planning ability.}
I considered hanging it in the den because then you could see it while watching TV. The problem is that once you open the door, you wouldn’t be able to see it. And, it definitely seems that my kids are more likely to stop while walking by instead of sitting there and staring contemplatively at information on the wall.
So, I chose a wall that we walk by, but you don’t really notice otherwise, and guess what!
Within 30 minutes, Rex had stopped and was investigating and asking questions about the Unification of Germany.
So, if you have things on the walls that the kids aren’t looking at, have you considered moving it to a walking area instead of a sitting area? {and, if you’re worried about your home looking like a classroom, well…. it is, isn’t it? But, it if really does bother your sense of style, there are lots of nice decorative maps out there. I’m using the old world style.}
We’ve also had luck using this principle with printing out famous artwork, with the name of the author and the piece below it, laminating it, and hanging them up with removable poster strips. Please forgive the flash glare.
And, don’t forget the horizontal spaces!
It’s super easy to add a World Map to the dinner table {well, maybe slightly more difficult for a round table…} We’ve had great conversations start from just looking over the map. Even mom and dad get stuck looking at the maps. 
What have been your most successful things to hang on the wall? I’m looking for ideas – so please tell me in the comments!
