Understanding North, East, West, and South Directions for 12-Year-Olds

Understanding North, East, West, and South Directions

Welcome! Today, we’re going to learn about the four main directions on a map: North, East, South, and West. These directions help us understand where things are located in relation to each other.

Step 1: The Compass Rose

Most maps have something called a compass rose. This is a symbol that shows the directions. At the top of the compass rose is North (N), and as you move clockwise, you’ll find East (E) to the right, South (S) at the bottom, and West (W) to the left.

Step 2: Understanding Each Direction

Let’s break down what each direction means:

• North: This is the direction that is straight up on most maps. If you think of the North Pole, it’s the top of the Earth!
• East: If you face North and turn to your right, you will be facing East. This is the direction where the sun rises.
• South: If you turn around from North, you will be facing South. This is the opposite direction of North.
• West: If you face South and then turn to your left, you will be facing West. This is where the sun sets.

Step 3: Using the Directions

When you’re looking at a map, the directions help you find places. For example, if you want to go to a city that is located East of your town, you will need to travel to the right on the map.

Step 4: Remembering the Directions

A good way to remember the order of the directions is to think of the phrase: Naughty Elephants Squirt Water. Each initial letter stands for:

• N: North
• E: East
• S: South
• W: West

Step 5: Practicing with a Map

The best way to learn is by practicing! Grab a simple map, find the compass rose, and try to identify where North, East, South, and West are. You can even use a real-world example by looking at a map of your town or a local park!

Conclusion

Now you have a basic understanding of North, East, South, and West! Remember to keep practicing, and soon you’ll navigate maps like an expert!