Children need to understand positional words. Right and left are as much directional terms as north, south, east, and west. Other words that describe such features as color, size, and shape are also important. Show your children north, south, east, and west by using your home as a reference point. Perhaps you can see the sun rising in the morning through a bedroom window that faces east and setting at night through a kitchen window on the west.
Playing games can reinforce their knowledge.
Even small children can learn to read simple maps of their school, neighborhood, and community. Here are some simple map activities you can do with your children. Go on a walk and collect natural materials such as acorns and leaves to use for an art project. Map the location where you found those items. Or, some rainy day, suggest they draw imaginary treasure maps just for fun.