Foundation · Geography · Geographical knowledge and understanding
My special places
Children name places that are important to them, such as home, a park or a grandparent's house, and explain why they are special.
Awaiting educator review. This material was drafted by our content team with AI assistance and is waiting for review by a qualified educator. Please check it suits your child before using it. Created 10 October 2026.
Learning goals
Learners will
- Name places that are special to them.
- Explain why a place is special.
Success looks like
- I can name a place that is special to me.
- I can say why it is special.
- I can listen to why a place is special to someone else.
The big idea
A place is a part of the world where something is. Your home is a place. Your school, the park, the beach and the shops are places too.
Some places are special to us. A place might be special because we feel safe there, because we play there, because family members live there, or because something happy happened there.
Different people have different special places. Your special place might be a cubby house, and a friend's might be the library.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Country is very special. Country means the land, waters and sky that a group belongs to, looks after and is connected to. The place where you live is part of the Country of a First Nations people.
We look after special places by keeping them clean and treating them with care.
Worked examples
Drawing a special place
Draw a place that is special to you and tell someone why.
- Think of a place you love to be.
- Draw it, adding the things you see there.
- Finish the sentence: 'This place is special because…'
Answer: A drawing and a sentence, e.g. 'The park is special because I go on the swings with Dad.'
Listening to others
Ask a family member about their special place.
- Ask: 'Where is a place that is special to you?'
- Ask: 'Why is it special?'
- Tell them one thing that is the same or different about your special place.
Answer: The child reports a family member's special place and compares it with their own.
Practice check
Have a go, then check your answers. Each answer comes with an explanation.
Answer guide for parents
Which of these is a place?
A park — A park is a place. The others are feelings, actions or colours.
Why might a place be special?
Because we feel safe or happy there — Places are special because of how we feel and what we do there.
Does everyone have the same special place?
No, people have different special places — People can have different special places.
How can we look after a special place?
Keep it clean and treat it with care — Caring for places keeps them special.
For First Nations Australians, what does 'Country' include?
The land, waters and sky — Country includes land, waters and sky and everything connected to them.
The place where you live is your ____.
home — Your home is the place where you live.
A place where you can borrow books is a ____.
library — A library lends books.
A place where children go to learn with a teacher is a ____.
school — Many children go to school to learn.
Watch out for
- Young children may think a 'place' must be big, like a city. A bedroom or a tree can be a place.
- Children may think everyone feels the same about a place. Encourage them to ask others.
Tips for parents
- Find out the name of the Traditional Owners of the land where you live (local councils and land councils can help) and use it when talking about your local area.
- Talk about special places during walks and outings.
- Some First Nations places are culturally significant and have protocols for visitors. Follow signs and guidance from local First Nations communities.
Go further
- Make a 'special places' booklet with one drawing per page.
- Take photos of three favourite places on a walk and talk about them.
- Build a model of a special place with blocks or recycled materials.