Mind maps with YL: is it possible?

Mind mapping is one of the effective tools in the ESL classroom. Its benefits are countless. Mind maps store large amounts of information very efficiently and develop brain skills. They are also incredibly useful for visuals. But what about young learners? Have you ever used mind mapping with your primary schoolchildren? If you are hesitant about how and when to use it, you will find proper answers to your questions.

Why use mind maps with young learners?

Since a mind map is made of words, pictures, various colors, and lines, children easily get engaged in it. These elements capture their attention and inspire them to stay focused. Mind maps make even the most ‘boring’ topics more interesting for your kids. They help children to memorize better, come up with creative ideas, and improve their critical thinking. Apart from that, they may come in handy in retelling stories, thus honing children’s speaking skills.

How to help children to create a mind map?

It is quite easy to make a mind map with colorful pencils. However, besides thinking of a topic you are going to discuss, you should give your kids some instructions and teach them how to create a mind map properly. Here are the necessary steps:

1. Draw a circle in the middle of the paper.
2. Write the name of the topic in the circle. Add pictures or symbols.
3. Draw several lines coming out from the circle. Make it look like the sun.
4. On each of these lines, write the words connected to the topic.
5. If necessary, you can also add some lines coming out from each line (like a spider web).
6. Make the mind map colorful.

Numerous free tools on the Internet can be useful both in offline and online classes. Here are some of them:

Mindmeister

Mindmup

Coggle

When to use mind maps?

Teaching vocabulary

One of the most efficient ways of teaching vocabulary is presenting it with mind maps. To make it even more creative, you can ask one of your kids to come to the board and draw a mind map on it ( e.g., a sun with numerous rays). Say your topic is animals, students write it in the center and then draw lines for various types — birds, reptiles, insects, mammals, etc. Then they come up with the names of different animals with your help and write them on the corresponding line. In case of necessity, kids may also draw animals next to their names. It will help them to memorize words and their meanings much more easily.

Playing word association

Word association is a game which involves an exchange of words that are associated together. This can be used as an icebreaker. Choose one noun phrase, for example, ‘magic’, and ask your learners to draw a mind map writing the given word in the centre of it. Each student writes one word that he/she associates with it on the lines of the mind map. Thus learners revise vocabulary and improve their critical thinking.

Retelling stories

Since most children admire stories, and especially fairy tales, we can use their favourite ones to create a mind map and to discuss the plot. They can draw a mind map and add character names and keywords next to them. In this way, your young learners will be able to memorise all details, to put the events in the correct chronological order and to retell their favourite fairy tale improving speaking skills.

Talking about “My family”

If you want your young learners to learn kinship names and to speak about their family members, their jobs and hobbies, you can use mind maps. In the middle of the map, children write “My family” and draw several lines extending from it. Each line includes one family member (e.g. grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, brother, sister, cousin, nephew, etc) and their names or images. Then ask children to add some lines coming out from each line. On these lines, they write things that are typical of this or that family member, for example, father — tall, dark hair, brown eyes, doctor. Now with the help of this mind map, your young learners will be able to construct their speech fluently and to practise not only kinship names but also professions, adjectives, etc.

Practising grammar

Learning grammar will not be boring even for children if you use colourful mind maps. Say, you are explaining Present Simple to your kids. Write the name of the topic in the centre and then draw corresponding lines for usage, form, negative and questions sentences, examples, etc. Any grammar material can be taught in this way. Apart from that, children can also create their own mind maps when you have a revision lesson.

So, as you can see, mind maps may really come in handy for your primary school children helping them to revise vocabulary, find connections with different things, learn grammar in a creative way, memorize information and of course boost their speaking skills. Go ahead and enjoy the benefits of mind mapping with your young learners!