IMAGES OF RUSSIA AND TAIWAN ON THE MAP FOR CHILDREN ‘ FIRST IMAGE OF THE WORLD’ (DINO’S MAPS)

Abstract

The study discusses problems of shaping ideas about another country by means of geographical maps for children. Such maps are used as a tool not only for learning about geography and explaining the world but also for forming attitudes toward certain socio-cultural systems, their territories and countries in the context of selected paradigms and stances. Through the example of the popular series of maps for children ‘First Image of the World’ by Dino’s Maps company, it is shown what images of Russia and the Republic of China (Taiwan) are created with their help, how, using methodological means of selective geoinfographics with the corresponding encoded display on maps of regions of the world, the given primary images of Russia, its place in the system of the world and South-East Asian values are developed in children’s minds, as well as how primary socialization of children and their geographical education are carried out. In the current geopolitical context, there is an alarming symptom of the use of the so-called ‘conclusion maps’, which include carefully selected and also deliberately distorted elements, pursuing the goals that are far beyond the limits of geographical education.