Study Notes: Directions and Positions


Hello, Amazing Explorer!

Welcome to the world of directions! Have you ever wanted to explain where your favourite toy is, or follow instructions in a game like "Simon Says"? This chapter will help you become a master of directions! We'll learn some simple but super important words like up, down, left, right, front, and back. Knowing these words helps us describe where everything is in the world around us. Let's get started on our adventure!


It All Starts With YOU!

The most important thing in learning directions is... YOU! When we say something is to the left or right, or in front of us, we are talking about where it is compared to our own body. You are the observer, the centre of your own map. It's all about your point of view!

Imagine you are a brave captain on a ship. 'Left' and 'right' tell you which way to turn the wheel, and 'front' and 'back' tell you where to look for treasure or pirates!


Going Up and Down (Over and Under)

Let's start with the easiest directions. Look up! Now look down! You already know this!

Over

Over means something is above you or on top of something else. Think "up"!

Examples:

- The sky is over our heads.
- A friendly bird flies over the house.
- The lamp is hanging over the table.

Under

Under means something is below you or beneath something else. Think "down"!

Examples:

- Your shoes are under your desk.
- A sleepy cat might nap under a chair.
- The rug is under your feet.


Key Takeaway

Over is up, like the ceiling. Under is down, like the floor!


Which Way to Go? Left or Right!

Don't worry if this seems tricky at first. Left and right can be confusing, but we have a secret trick to help you remember them forever! You've got this!

How to find Left and Right

Let's use our hands. Hold both of your hands up in front of you, with your palms facing away and your thumbs sticking out to the side.

1. Look closely at your hands.
2. One of your hands will make a perfect letter 'L'.
3. The hand that makes the 'L' is your LEFT hand! How cool is that?
4. The other hand, the one that doesn't make an 'L', is your RIGHT hand.

Examples:

- Many people write with their right hand.
- The window is to my left.
- My heart is on the left side of my chest.


A Common Mistake to Avoid

When someone is facing you, their left and right are opposite to yours! It's like looking in a mirror. Your right hand is across from their left hand.


Key Takeaway

To find your left, make an 'L' with your hand! Your other hand is your right.


Peek-a-Boo! In Front and Behind

These directions are all about what you can see easily and what is at your back.

In Front Of

In front of means the direction your face and eyes are looking. It's what's ahead of you.

Examples:

- Your computer screen is in front of you right now.
- When you sit at a desk, the desk is in front of you.
- The teacher stands in front of the class.

Behind

Behind means at your back. You have to turn your head to see what is behind you. It's the opposite of 'in front of'.

Examples:

- You wear your backpack behind you, on your back.
- The chair you are sitting on is behind your tummy.
- Your shadow follows behind you on a sunny day.


Did you know?

Some animals, like rabbits and chameleons, have eyes on the sides of their heads. This lets them see almost all the way behind them without even turning! This helps them watch out for danger.


Key Takeaway

In front of is where you are looking. Behind is at your back!


What's in the Middle? (Between)

Sometimes, things aren't just up or down, or left or right. Sometimes, they are stuck right in the middle!

Between

We use the word between to describe something that is in the middle of two other things.

Think of a yummy sandwich. The cheese is between two slices of bread!

Examples:

- In the alphabet, the letter 'B' comes between 'A' and 'C'.
- If you sit with a friend on each side, you are between them.
- The number 2 is between 1 and 3.


Key Takeaway

Between means "in the middle". You need at least two other things, one on each side.


You're a Directions Detective!

Great job! You've learned all the secret code words for directions. Let's practice by describing a scene. Imagine you are sitting at your school desk.

- Your book is in front of you.
- Your pencil case is to the right of your book.
- Your water bottle is to the left of your book.
- The clock is on the wall over the board.
- Your school bag is under your desk.
- Your best friend sits behind you.
- You are sitting between the student on your left and the student on your right.

See? You can now describe where everything is! You are officially a Directions Detective!


Quick Review!

Here are all our new words in one place. Keep practising and you'll be an expert in no time!

- Over: Above something.
- Under: Below something.
- Left: The side of your body where your hand makes an 'L'.
- Right: The side opposite of your left.
- In front of: The direction you are facing.
- Behind: At your back.
- Between: In the middle of two other things.