Heading (navigation)

When you are in a big building, like a store or a museum, you can use signs or arrows to help you find where you want to go. These signs tell you where to turn and what direction to walk.

Just like these signs, a heading is a direction or path that tells you where to go when you are travelling in a vehicle or on foot. In fact, the word "heading" comes from the word "head," which means the front part of your body where you look in the direction you are going.

So, a heading is like a signpost that helps you to navigate and stay on course. It is usually expressed in degrees, which is like a way of measuring how far you are turning from your starting direction. For example, if you are heading north, that means you are travelling straight up towards the top of the map. If you turn to the right, you might be heading east, which means you are moving towards the right-hand side of the map.

Just like signs or arrows in a store, headings are important for pilots, sailors or drivers. They help them to avoid getting lost or going in the wrong direction. By following the correct heading, they can reach their destination safely and efficiently, just like you can find your way to your favourite exhibit in the museum.