Positional Words For Preschoolers

Teaching words to kids is a task that is challenging yet extremely fun when they actually learn them! There are so many ways to begin teaching kids. One way to begin is to start with familiar words. Over here, you can begin by teaching your child words they are already familiar with, such as their name, the names of family members, and common objects around the house. Another way to take this ahead is by using real-life examples. When introducing a new word, provide your child with a real-life example of the word in action. For example, if you’re teaching the word “drink,” show your child a glass of water and say “This is a drink.”

Using props and gestures to help your little one understand new words is also another trick in the book. Make sure that your child gets regular practice, and set some time to review words as well. Most importantly, encourage your child to ask questions about new words, and take time to explain their meanings. This will help your child develop their vocabulary and improve their language skills.

In this article, we look at teaching preschoolers position words in English. Here, we understand the meaning of positional words, examples of positional words and even look at tips and tricks to make it easier for kids to understand this.

What Are Positional Words?

Positional words are words that describe the position or location of something in relation to something else. Some common positional words include:

• Above
• Below
• Near
• Far
• Left
• Right
• Front
• Behind

These words can be used to describe the position of an object in relation to another object, or the position of a person in relation to an object or another person.

For example, you might say “The cat is above the couch” to describe the position of the cat in relation to the couch, or you might say “I am in front of the store” to describe your position in relation to the store.

Why Is It Important For Young Children To Learn Positional Words?

It is essential for young children to learn positional words because they are an important part of early language development, and are frequently used in everyday communication. Understanding positional words allows children to communicate effectively about the location of objects and people, which is important for a variety of activities such as following directions, participating in games, and engaging in social interactions.

Positional words also provide a foundation for more advanced spatial concepts, such as those related to geometry and measurement. Learning positional words can help children understand more advanced concepts like “above” and “below,” as well as “inside” and “outside.”
Overall, learning positional words is an important part of a child’s overall language development and is an important building block for future learning.

When Should Your Child Learn About Positional Words?

Children can typically begin learning about positional words at around 18-24 months of age. At this age, children start to develop a greater understanding of the world around them, and are learning to express their ideas through language. As children learn to use positional words, they may also start to use more complex language, such as two-word phrases and sentences, to describe the positions of objects and people.

You can help your child learn positional words by incorporating them into your everyday interactions and activities. For example, you can point to objects and describe their position in relation to other objects or people, such as “The ball is under the chair.” You can also play games that involve positional words, such as “Where is the teddy bear?” and have your child point to the bear’s location.

Examples Of Positional Words

Let us now look at some examples, and look at this positional words list –

• Above: higher than something else
• Below: lower than something else
• Near: close to something
• Far: not close to something
• Left: on the side that is toward the west when you are facing north
• Right: on the side that is toward the east when you are facing north
• Front: the side or part of something that faces forward
• Behind: at the back of something or someone
• Inside: within the limits or boundaries of something
• Outside: on or to the outer side or surface of something

Simple Sentences with Positional Words

Here are five simple sentences that use positional words:

1. The cat is under the table.
2. The bird is above the tree.
3. The car is in front of the house.
4. The toy is to the right of the chair.
5. The dog is behind the couch.

Order In Which You Can Teach Positional Words

There is no one specific order in which you must teach positional words, as every child is different and will learn at their own pace. However, here is a suggested order that you could use to introduce positional words to your child:

1. Introduce Basic Positional Words

Start by introducing basic positional words such as “above,” “below,” and “near.” These words are relatively easy for children to understand and can be used in a variety of contexts.

2. Introduce Advances Positional Words

Once your child has mastered the basic positional words, you can move on to more advanced words such as “left,” “right,” and “front.” These words may be a little more challenging for children to understand, but they are still important for everyday communication.

3. Introduce Complex Positional Words

After your child has learned basic and advanced positional words, you can introduce more complex words such as “inside” and “outside.” These words may be more difficult for children to understand, as they require a more advanced understanding of spatial relationships.

4. Introduce Less Common Positional Words

As your child becomes more comfortable with positional words, you can continue to expand their vocabulary by introducing less common words such as “beside” and “between.”

Activities That Will Help Your Child Learn Positional Words

Here are seven activities or positional word games that you can do with your child to help them learn:

1. Point and name

Point to different objects in the room and name their position in relation to other objects. For example, you could say “The toy is under the bed” or “The book is on top of the table.”

2. Follow directions

Give your child directions that involve positional words, such as “Put the toy above the couch” or “Bring the ball from behind the chair.”

3. Play “I Spy”

Look around the room and describe the position of an object using positional words. Have your child guess what object you are thinking of.

4. Play “Simon Says”

Give your child commands that involve positional words, such as “Stand in front of the table” or “Put your hands above your head.”

5. Play “Red Light, Green Light”

As you play this classic game, give your child directions that involve positional words, such as “Take two steps forward” or “Turn around and take three steps back.”

6. Play with dolls

Set up a small playscape with dolls and props, and have your child describe the position of the dolls in relation to each other and the props.

7. Go on a positional word game scavenger hunt

Look for objects around the house or outside that are in specific positions (e.g., above the couch, or behind the tree). Have your child find and bring back the objects you describe.

Books To Teach Your Child About Positional Words

In this section, let us take a look at positional word books for kindergarten kids –

1. “Where’s the Elephant?” by Cecile Bertrand

In this book, children follow a mischievous elephant as he hides in various locations around the house. The text uses positional words such as “under,” “behind,” and “on top of” to describe the elephant’s hiding places.

2. “Opposites” by Adrian Reynolds

This book introduces young readers to opposites, including positional words such as “above” and “below.” The illustrations depict animals in different positions, making it a fun and engaging way to learn about positional words.

3. “Where Is the Green Sheep?” by Mem Fox

This colourful and playful book follows a group of sheep as they hide in various locations around the farm. The text uses positional words such as “beside,” “behind,” and “under” to describe the sheep’s hiding places.

4. “Bear Sees Colours” by Karma Wilson

In this book, a bear goes on a journey through the forest and sees a variety of colourful objects. The text uses positional words such as “above,” “below,” and “beside” to describe the bear’s journey.

5. “Look Up!” by Nathan Clement

This interactive book uses lift-the-flap elements to introduce young readers to positional words. Children can lift the flaps to see what is above, below, inside, and outside different objects.

Important Tips For Teaching Positional Words

Here are a few important tips for teaching positional words to young children:

1. Start with basic words: Begin by introducing basic positional words such as “above,” “below,” and “near.” These words are relatively easy for children to understand and can be used in a variety of contexts.
2. Use concrete examples: It can be helpful to use real objects and physical demonstrations to teach positional words. For example, you can place a toy above and below a table to help your child understand the meaning of these words.
3. Incorporate positional words into everyday activities: Look for opportunities to use positional words in your everyday interactions and activities. For example, you can point to objects and describe their position in relation to other objects or people, or you can give your child directions that involve positional words.
4. Use visual aids: Visual aids, such as pictures and diagrams, can be helpful for teaching positional words. You can use these aids to show your child what the words mean and to give them a frame of reference.
5. Be patient and supportive: Every child is different and will learn at their own pace. It is important to be patient and supportive as your child learns these new words and concepts. Don’t be afraid to review and practice positional words with your child as needed.

It is important to remember that every child is different and will learn at their own pace. Some children may learn positional words more quickly than others, while others may need more time and practice. It is important to be patient and supportive as your child learns these new words and concepts.

Also Read:

Vowels and Consonants for Preschoolers
Action Words for Preschoolers and Kids
How to Teach Number Recognition to Preschool Kids