Directions, or the general compass directions of North, South, East and West, are important things to learn because they help you navigate to where you're going and keep you from getting lost while on your journey. Learning directions is an important tool for understanding the way nature works, and how the points of the compass work as well. If you are able to correctly learn directions, you will be able to find your way anywhere that you would like to go.
Look at a compass, or a representation of one. The compass points do not change, North is always "up," South is always "down," East is always to the right, and West is always to the left. Orientate yourself to these four main directions.
Choose a mnemonic device that can help you remember the coordinates in order. Begin with N, then move on to E, S and W. If you remember four words in a row and you know they go clockwise, you'll always know what comes next. Some sentences include "Never Eat Shredded Wheat" or "Never Eat Soggy Waffles." You can make up your own, too, as long as you can remember it.
Learn the in-between points, simply knowing where they fall. For instance, "Northwest" falls directly between the North and the West.
Related Articles
Writer Bio
Terrance Karter has served as a reporter, reviewer and columnist for "The Exponent," as well as a contributor to the "Shelterbelt," both based in northeast South Dakota. Karter holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from Northern State University in South Dakota.