Navigation
A basic guide to understanding personal directions and movement.
Imagine you are a brave explorer looking for hidden treasure in your own room! If your secret map says 'Turn now,' how will you know which way to go so you do not bump into your bed?
Did you know your hands have a secret code? Hold both of your hands up in front of you with your palms facing away. Stretch out your thumbs. Look closely at your left hand. Your thumb and pointer finger make the shape of the letter L! This stands for Left. Your other hand is your right hand. It does not make a proper 'L' shape; it looks backwards! We use these directions to talk about our bodies and the world around us. Most people use their right hand to write, but some very special people use their left hand!
Let's find your left hand together: 1. Put both hands flat on the table. 2. Point your fingers straight ahead. 3. Move your thumbs out to the side. 4. Look for the hand that makes the letter . That is your left hand! 5. The hand that does not make an is your right hand.
Quick Check
Which hand makes the shape of the letter 'L' with the thumb and pointer finger?
Answer
The left hand.
Now that you know your hands, you can move your whole body! When someone says 'Turn left,' you move toward the side of your 'L' hand. When they say 'Turn right,' you move toward your other hand. Imagine you are a car on a road. If there are paths, you have to choose the correct one to get home. We use these words to give directions. Left and right help us navigate our neighborhood, find our classrooms, and even play games like soccer!
Follow these steps to practice moving: 1. Stand up straight with your feet together. 2. Simon says: 'Take step to your left.' (Move toward your 'L' hand). 3. Simon says: 'Wave your right hand high in the air.' 4. Simon says: 'Touch your left ear with your left hand.' 5. If you can do this, you are ready to be a navigator!
Quick Check
If you are walking and a friend tells you to turn toward your 'L' hand, which way are you turning?
Answer
You are turning left.
We also use left and right to tell people where things are. Imagine your favorite toy is on a shelf. Instead of saying 'It is over there,' you can say 'It is on the left side of the shelf.' This is much more helpful! When you look at a group of objects, the ones closest to your 'L' hand are on the left. The ones on the other side are on the right. This is how we describe our neighborhood, like saying 'The park is on the left of the school.'
Imagine you have toys in a row: a Bear, a Car, and a Doll. 1. The Bear is on the far left. 2. The Doll is on the far right. 3. If you move the Car to the left of the Bear, the Car is now the first toy in line! 4. Using these words helps you organize your room perfectly.
What letter does your left hand make?
If you have apples and you give the one on the 'L' hand side to a friend, which apple did you give away?
True or False: You should turn right if you want to move toward your 'L' hand.
Review Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning, when you wake up, look at your hands and find the 'L' shape. Can you remember which hand it is without looking at this guide?
Practice Activity
When you are eating dinner, try to identify which side of your plate the fork is on. Is it on the left or the right?