Left and right change when you turn around. Mapmakers needed direction words that never change. These are the four cardinal directions.
Key idea
The four cardinal directions are north, south, east and west. On most maps, north is at the top, south at the bottom, east on the right and west on the left.
Why it works
North always points toward the North Pole, at the top of the world. It stays the same no matter which way you face. So "the school is north of the house" is true for everyone, wherever they stand.
Worked example: Which way?
On the map above, which way is the farm from the house?
- North is at the top of the map.
- The farm is on the left side.
- Left on this map is west.
Answer: West.
Common mistake
Some children think north means "up in the sky" or "straight ahead." North is a direction across the ground, toward the North Pole. We only draw it at the top of the page.
- North and south are opposites.
- East and west are opposites.
- Face north: east is on your right, west on your left, and south is behind you.
For the grown-up. Find north at home (a phone compass works) and stick a paper "N" on that wall. Then label E, S and W. Ask, "Which wall is the window on?"