Skills without mastery are useless. Mastery is impossible without the right methods. SimpliGrok platform makes mastery effortless and fastest with proven, smart practice.
Skills without mastery are useless. Mastery is impossible without the right methods. SimpliGrok platform makes mastery effortless and fastest with proven, smart practice.
Students will understand and use positional words to describe the location of objects in space, including: in, on, under, over, beside, above, below, between, and next to.
Positional language consists of words that describe WHERE something is located in relation to other objects. These words help us communicate about location and navigate our environment.
In: Inside a container or space
- "The toy is in the box."
- "Put your shoes in the closet."
On: Resting on top of a surface
- "The book is on the table."
- "Your hat is on your head."
Under/Underneath: Below something, covered by it
- "The ball rolled under the chair."
- "Your toy is under the blanket."
Over/Above: Higher than, but not touching
- "The light is above the table."
- "The bird flew over the house."
Beside/Next to: At the side of, near
- "Sit beside your friend."
- "The chair is next to the desk."
Near/Close to: Not far from
- "The park is near our school."
- "Stay close to me."
Far from: A long distance away
- "The store is far from here."
Between: In the middle of two things
- "You sit between Sam and Alex."
- "The red block is between two blue blocks."
In front of: Facing, ahead of
- "Stand in front of the door."
Behind: At the back of
- "Hide behind the tree."
Positional language helps children:
- Follow directions
- Give clear instructions
- Navigate spaces safely
- Describe what they see
- Understand stories and diagrams
- Develop spatial reasoning
Incorporate positional language throughout the day:
- Cleanup: "Put the blocks in the bin."
- Transitions: "Line up behind Jake."
- Circle time: "Sit beside your friend."
- Art: "Put the paper on the table."
Children learn position words through movement:
- "Can you go under the table?"
- "Jump over this line."
- "Crawl between these two chairs."
- "Stand beside me."
Use position words in this game:
- "Simon says put your hands on your head."
- "Simon says stand behind your chair."
- "Simon says jump over the line."
Many books feature positional language:
- "Rosie's Walk" (over, past, through, under)
- Books with prepositions
- Where is Baby? books
At Home:
- "Your shoes are under your bed."
- "Put your plate on the table."
- "The cat is behind the couch."
At School:
- "The crayons are in the box."
- "Sit beside your partner."
- "Line up next to the door."
Outdoors:
- "The ball went over the fence."
- "Walk between the trees."
- "The swing is near the slide."
Confusing "in" and "on"
Child might say "in the table" instead of "on the table."
Solution: Model correct usage repeatedly. Use hand motions to show the difference.
Mixing up "over" and "under"
These opposite concepts can be tricky.
Solution: Practice with body movements. "Go over the rope" vs. "Go under the rope."
"Behind" vs. "in front of"
Relative positions depend on point of view.
Solution: Practice from both perspectives. "You are in front of me. I am behind you."
Mastery indicators:
- Follows directions with position words correctly
- Uses position words when speaking
- Can place objects when asked: "Put the block on the table"
- Correctly describes locations: "The ball is under the chair"
- Understands at least 5-6 position words
Support:
- Start with 3-4 basic words: in, on, under, beside
- Use gestures along with words
- Provide hand-over-hand guidance
- Use very clear, exaggerated positions
- Accept pointing if words are difficult
Extension:
- Learn more complex words: between, in front of, behind, near, far
- Use multiple position words: "Put the block on the table next to the cup"
- Describe complex arrangements: "The red block is between two blue blocks"
- Give directions to others using position words
- Draw pictures based on position word descriptions
Families can practice:
- Use position words during daily routines
- Play hide and seek: "You were behind the door!"
- Give directions: "Your coat is on the hook"
- Read books together pointing out position words
- Follow recipes: "Pour the milk into the bowl"
Teacher gives directions:
- "Put the bear on the chair."
- "Put the block under the table."
- "Stand beside your friend."
Hide a stuffed animal:
- "Where is Teddy? He's under the blanket!"
- Children take turns hiding and finding
- Use position words to give clues
Create course using position words:
- "Crawl under the table."
- "Jump over the rope."
- "Walk between the cones."
Show pictures and ask:
- "Where is the cat?" (on the chair)
- "Where is the ball?" (under the bed)
- Children describe what they see
Position words support:
- Spatial reasoning (essential for geometry)
- Understanding of maps and diagrams
- Pattern recognition (over, under, over, under)
- Problem-solving with physical space
Position words appear frequently in:
- Stories and books
- Following written directions
- Understanding text features (diagrams, maps)
- Writing descriptions
Position words are prepositions - important for:
- Sentence structure
- Clear communication
- Following and giving directions
- Academic language across subjects
Students will understand and use positional words to describe the location of objects in space, including: in, on, under, over, beside, above, below, between, and next to.
Positional language consists of words that describe WHERE something is located in relation to other objects. These words help us communicate about location and navigate our environment.
In: Inside a container or space
- "The toy is in the box."
- "Put your shoes in the closet."
On: Resting on top of a surface
- "The book is on the table."
- "Your hat is on your head."
Under/Underneath: Below something, covered by it
- "The ball rolled under the chair."
- "Your toy is under the blanket."
Over/Above: Higher than, but not touching
- "The light is above the table."
- "The bird flew over the house."
Beside/Next to: At the side of, near
- "Sit beside your friend."
- "The chair is next to the desk."
Near/Close to: Not far from
- "The park is near our school."
- "Stay close to me."
Far from: A long distance away
- "The store is far from here."
Between: In the middle of two things
- "You sit between Sam and Alex."
- "The red block is between two blue blocks."
In front of: Facing, ahead of
- "Stand in front of the door."
Behind: At the back of
- "Hide behind the tree."
Positional language helps children:
- Follow directions
- Give clear instructions
- Navigate spaces safely
- Describe what they see
- Understand stories and diagrams
- Develop spatial reasoning
Incorporate positional language throughout the day:
- Cleanup: "Put the blocks in the bin."
- Transitions: "Line up behind Jake."
- Circle time: "Sit beside your friend."
- Art: "Put the paper on the table."
Children learn position words through movement:
- "Can you go under the table?"
- "Jump over this line."
- "Crawl between these two chairs."
- "Stand beside me."
Use position words in this game:
- "Simon says put your hands on your head."
- "Simon says stand behind your chair."
- "Simon says jump over the line."
Many books feature positional language:
- "Rosie's Walk" (over, past, through, under)
- Books with prepositions
- Where is Baby? books
At Home:
- "Your shoes are under your bed."
- "Put your plate on the table."
- "The cat is behind the couch."
At School:
- "The crayons are in the box."
- "Sit beside your partner."
- "Line up next to the door."
Outdoors:
- "The ball went over the fence."
- "Walk between the trees."
- "The swing is near the slide."
Confusing "in" and "on"
Child might say "in the table" instead of "on the table."
Solution: Model correct usage repeatedly. Use hand motions to show the difference.
Mixing up "over" and "under"
These opposite concepts can be tricky.
Solution: Practice with body movements. "Go over the rope" vs. "Go under the rope."
"Behind" vs. "in front of"
Relative positions depend on point of view.
Solution: Practice from both perspectives. "You are in front of me. I am behind you."
Mastery indicators:
- Follows directions with position words correctly
- Uses position words when speaking
- Can place objects when asked: "Put the block on the table"
- Correctly describes locations: "The ball is under the chair"
- Understands at least 5-6 position words
Support:
- Start with 3-4 basic words: in, on, under, beside
- Use gestures along with words
- Provide hand-over-hand guidance
- Use very clear, exaggerated positions
- Accept pointing if words are difficult
Extension:
- Learn more complex words: between, in front of, behind, near, far
- Use multiple position words: "Put the block on the table next to the cup"
- Describe complex arrangements: "The red block is between two blue blocks"
- Give directions to others using position words
- Draw pictures based on position word descriptions
Families can practice:
- Use position words during daily routines
- Play hide and seek: "You were behind the door!"
- Give directions: "Your coat is on the hook"
- Read books together pointing out position words
- Follow recipes: "Pour the milk into the bowl"
Teacher gives directions:
- "Put the bear on the chair."
- "Put the block under the table."
- "Stand beside your friend."
Hide a stuffed animal:
- "Where is Teddy? He's under the blanket!"
- Children take turns hiding and finding
- Use position words to give clues
Create course using position words:
- "Crawl under the table."
- "Jump over the rope."
- "Walk between the cones."
Show pictures and ask:
- "Where is the cat?" (on the chair)
- "Where is the ball?" (under the bed)
- Children describe what they see
Position words support:
- Spatial reasoning (essential for geometry)
- Understanding of maps and diagrams
- Pattern recognition (over, under, over, under)
- Problem-solving with physical space
Position words appear frequently in:
- Stories and books
- Following written directions
- Understanding text features (diagrams, maps)
- Writing descriptions
Position words are prepositions - important for:
- Sentence structure
- Clear communication
- Following and giving directions
- Academic language across subjects