Mind Mapping - does it work?

Like many people I have been sceptical about Mind Maps until I started using the concept myself. I am not a very visual person so I tend to outline information I want to learn rather than create a map however the concept is the same. Theo however is very visual and very tactile, therefore creating pictures which can be moved around seems a logical step but how do we know if it is working?

Over breakfast this morning I asked Theo where hedgehogs live and without thinking he replied correctly. I then asked why a hedgehog has prickles and he proceeded be demonstrate how a hedgehog curls up into a ball so the prickles stick out. Although we had not created the picture yet he also remembered they had poor eyesight, because he remembered our discussion on drawing a hedgehog with glasses. The image was clearly in his head although not yet committed to paper.

Whilst this is very early days it is something that we will continue to see how far we can take it. After all if Boeing can use the concept to save an estimated $11 million in training engineers we should be able to advantage of it in educating a child.

If you are not familiar with Mind Mapping there is a book by the inventor Tony Buzan called "The Mind Map Book" which I would recommend.

Introduction to Mind Maps

Today, 22nd September, I thought I would introduce the concept of Mind Mapping. Having received a hedgehog soft toy from his Nanny we thought we would investigate the hedgehog in greater detail. Rather than just draw the map we have started to create a more interactive map.

First Theo painted some sheets of paper, which when dry we cut into strips to create the joining lines.

Then Theo drew a picture of a hedgehog to act as the central image.

Next we started to answer two questions Theo had namely where do they live and what the prickles for. This introduced the concept of a web search and we found a picture of a hedgehog nest and a picture of a hedgehog in a defensive ball.

We will continue to build up this map and start work on some others soon.