Help your students strengthen their understanding of direction and movement with the versatile Directional Language Cards! This engaging resource allows students to create, follow and sequence directions using clear, simple commands that build spatial awareness and support oral language development.

Students use the cards to move an object, peer or themselves from one location to another. Whether role-playing as classroom robots or designing obstacle courses, this open-ended resource promotes movement, logic and meaningful use of directional vocabulary such as forward, backward, turn left and turn right. The format encourages students to experiment, create and communicate clearly.

This resource can be used in whole-class modelling, partner games, or small group challenges. It also works as an informal assessment tool during maths or oral language rotations. With colour, low colour and black & white printing options, and the ability to print at multiple sizes, these cards offer maximum flexibility for different learning environments and teaching styles.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Use directional language to give and follow movement-based instructions
• ✅ Develop sequencing and spatial reasoning skills
• ✅ Strengthen oral language and communication through peer collaboration
• ✅ Apply directional vocabulary in practical, hands-on contexts
• ✅ Engage in active learning that supports geometry and location outcomes

What’s Included:

• Directional command cards designed to print 6 per A4 page:
  • - Forward
  • - Backward
  • - Turn left
  • - Turn right
  • - Start and finish cards
• Full colour, low colour and black & white options
• Flexible formatting for different classroom needs

Materials Needed:

• Printed directional cards (laminated if using outdoors or for reuse)
• Clear floor space, cones or markers for real-life pathways
• Optional: toy robots, figurines or student volunteers for movement tasks

How to Use:

1. Print and cut the cards in your preferred colour option and size. Laminate for durability if needed.
2. Introduce the directional vocabulary using real-life demonstrations or a class anchor chart.
3. Model giving and following a simple sequence using the cards with a volunteer or object.
4. Place the cards in a station or give each student a small set. Assign them a task to move an object or peer from one place to another.
5. Rotate roles so students practise both giving and following directions.
6. Extend the task by asking students to create their own sequence and draw or write the path taken.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use cards in partner work where one student gives directions and the other follows
• 💡 Set up an obstacle course and guide a “robot” student through using the cards
• 💡 Incorporate into your maths rotations during geometry and location units
• 💡 Create direction sequences and have others decode or act them out
• 💡 Use as an assessment task by having students build and explain a movement sequence

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Print cards at A3 size and use them as stepping stones around the room
• 💛 Colour-code cards by action type to support early readers or EAL learners
• 💛 Store cards in labelled containers or zip-lock bags for quick access
• 💛 Combine with a floor grid or number mat to extend direction-giving into maths

Directional Language Cards are a practical and playful way to support oral language, movement and spatial reasoning - perfect for indoor or outdoor use across the early years and beyond.

Looking for more resources like this? Try our Mapping Skills Position Worksheets.