Giving and following multi-step directions using compass points and turns.
Where your child meets this in real life: Giving directions to locations, treasure hunts, orienteering
SEAGReady breaks give and follow directions into 3 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
Master following single-step directions skills
Master following multi-step directions skills
Master giving directions to a location skills
Three free sample questions from our give and follow directions course. Every question comes with a full explanation, and hints that guide without giving the answer away.
Sean is at the bus stop looking at a map. The sweet shop is marked directly south of the bus stop. If Sean walks south from the bus stop, where will he arrive?
Answer: A. The sweet shop
Sean starts at the bus stop. He walks south (down on the map). The sweet shop is directly south of the bus stop. Answer: Sean arrives at the sweet shop.
Stuck? Start here: Look at the map - which building is directly south of the bus stop?
Conor is doing a treasure hunt. He starts at the big tree and follows these directions: Go east 2 squares, then go south 1 square. The pond is at that location. Where does Conor end up?
Answer: C. The pond
Conor starts at the big tree. Step 1: Go east (right) 2 squares. Step 2: Go south (down) 1 square. The pond is at that location. Answer: Conor ends up at the pond.
Stuck? Start here: Follow each step one at a time: first go east 2 squares.
Emma wants to tell her friend how to get from the school to the shop. The shop is 3 squares east of the school. What directions should Emma give?
Answer: A. Go east 3 squares
The shop is 3 squares east of the school. To reach it, walk east 3 squares. Answer: Go east 3 squares.
Stuck? Start here: The shop is east of the school. What direction do you walk to go east?
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Niamh is at the school gate looking at a map. The library is marked directly north of the school.
If Niamh walks north from the school, where will she arrive?
School + North = ?
Step 1 of 4
Niamh is at the school gate looking at a map. The library is marked directly north of the school.
If Niamh walks north from the school, where will she arrive?
Niamh will arrive at the library.
The key insight: On a map, north is always at the top - so 'go north' means move upwards!
Watch out: Thinking north depends on which way you are facing. On a map, north is always at the top regardless of which way you face in real life.
These are the misconceptions we see most often in give and follow directions, including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
Struggling with give and follow directions? The real gap is often in one of these earlier topics.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.