What are orienting features?

Orienting features are clues that help you know where you are and which way to go.

Imagine you’re playing a game of hide-and-seek in a big park. You close your eyes, count to 10, and then look for your friend. When you open your eyes, you see a red slide nearby, that's an orienting feature! It helps you know where to start looking. Maybe there’s also a big tree or a path that leads somewhere else.

Your brain works like a mapmaker. Every time you go somewhere new, your brain takes notes about the things around you, like buildings, trees, signs, or even the way the sun shines. These are all orienting features. They help your brain remember where everything is so you can find your way again.

Next time you’re playing a game or walking to school, think about what helps you know where you are, those are your orienting features, working like little helpers in your mind!