Humans and animals use cognitive maps every day. For example, I am looking to re-carpet my downstairs. At the store, I remember my floor plan to estimate how much carpet I would need for the job. The floor plan exists in my memory and is familiar enough for me to remember it. Another example of how we use cognitive maps in daily life is this: my son learns to dress himself by observing me dressing him every day. However, he never realizes that he knows how to do it until he is able to dress himself. Additionally, my son is learning to walk to school by observing the route we take daily. If I can't take him to school one day, he has to remember the route so he can miss out.