printable board game for learning to follow directions - forwards, backwards, left, right

readilearn: Turtle Island – a game of directions: forwards, backwards, left, right

24 Replies

The ability to give and follow directions according to one’s location is an important skill and one that we frequently use in everyday life. Some of the first directions we use are forwards, backwards, left and right. Often when we teach children these directions, everyone is facing the same way and move in unison.

Understanding that the directions are relative to the way you are facing, and may be different for someone facing another way, can be tricky to develop. Many of us early childhood teachers experience difficulty identifying our own left and right after years of facing children as we teach them their left and right.

I have always considered games to be a great tool for learning. They not only provide a fun way of learning concepts, but they also provide opportunities for children to interact with each other and learn the social skills of getting along at the same time. Games help build positive attitudes toward school, learning and each other. They often incorporate learning across the curriculum and can be used in groups, with buddies or with an adult support person.

This week, I have uploaded a new printable board game which involves children in following directions. For the next few weeks, the game will be available free to everyone, whether a registered readilearn user or not. Why? Because I need your help, please.

Continue reading: readilearn: Turtle Island – a game of directions: forwards, backwards, left, right

24 thoughts on “readilearn: Turtle Island – a game of directions: forwards, backwards, left, right”

  2. Annecdotist

    I also struggle differentiating left and right and don’t even have your excuse. I read somewhere recently (could even have been your blog) about a culture that didn’t use left/right to indicate direction but compass points (from an early age and perhaps without a compass) so there wouldn’t be that confusion between my right and your right. Fascinating stuff and your game looks fun. Sorry I don’t have anyone to test it out on.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Norah Post author

      I’ve been thinking about the ability to use compass points without a compass ever since I read your comment in my inbox, Anne, and I just can’t figure it out. Most of the time I don’t even think about which compass point I’m facing, unless I’m facing into or away from the sun. It’s an interesting idea that I’d like to follow up with a little research. Thanks for letting me know about it.

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        1. Norah Post author

          It is fascinating, Anne, and I’m grateful to you for raising the topic. You definitely didn’t make it up – I checked and found a few interesting articles, including these:
          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relative_direction
          http://nautil.us/blog/5-languages-that-could-change-the-way-you-see-the-world
          and

          TIL there are languages without the terms “Left, Right, Front, and Behind.” These cultures use “North, South, East, and West” their whole lives no matter if they are in a room or in the woods. The result is a compass brain. They always know how they are oriented.
          byu/shreddor intodayilearned

          I’ll be interested to see if this comment gets spammed. There were 264 comments in my spam folder today – more than there’s ever been before, and all spam. 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

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          1. Jennie

            Very interesting! I have read the first few pages, and the Giant fell off a cliff. The body parts have worked to find each other. The children’s librarian told me the book is a classic, written 30 years ago. I will email you a photo of the cover.

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            2. Norah Post author

              Okay, I see it now. There was an animated movie called The Iron Giant that was based on Ted Hughes’s book called The Iron Man. It is the same story, and definitely a classic. 🙂

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