How do elementary school children benefit from being taught states and regions in social studies?

It is generally the case that children (and even many
adults) are more interested in studying things that have a clear relationship to their
own lives.  It is for this reason that elementary school students benefit from studying
states and regions.

By studying these local subjects early
on, students are introduced to social studies and historical concepts in a context that
is more interesting to them.  They learn about them in the context of places that are
familiar.  This allows them to have an easier time learning and caring about these
concepts.

Once students learn skills and concepts in this
way, they are more ready to move on to other areas of history and social studies.  They
have benefitted from having a foundation laid for them through their study of their own
states and regions.