Developed in partnership with Education Services Australia

The Australian Curriculum sets the goal for what all students should learn as they progress through their school life. Skills in the Year 3-4 curriculum include:

• recognising that position can be described using grid references such as B4
• recognising that the position of one place compared to another can be given using compass point directions.

It’s easy to help your child practise these skills as part of everyday life – just use these simple ideas.

Appoint an assistant navigator!

Navigation tools can use different ways to describe position, such as grid systems and compass points. To help your child learn how to find their way with different systems, ask them to help you navigate when you:

• go to places with grid-based maps, such as shopping centres, zoos and theme parks
• use public transport with network maps
• use printed maps or navigation apps (challenge them to work out their own routes, rather than relying on the app).

To develop their skills even further, encourage your child to:

• explore online mapping tools such as Google Maps, including different views such as street and aerial views
• explore travel books, atlases and books of maps
• find places and work out routes in street directories and maps
• play games that use maps and grids, such as Battleships.

Go online

For online reinforcement, Rainforest: use a grid map will give your child practice at:

• using grid references on a map.

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