Thinkabara📦 Prepositions & spatial concepts
Prepositions tell where something is: in, on, under, next to, behind, in front of, between, above and below. Look at the cat and the box, then choose where the cat is.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Play hide-and-seek with a toy and describe where you find it: "It's UNDER the pillow!"
- Teach in, on and under first; behind, in front of and between come later.
- Give directions with prepositions: "Put the spoon next to the cup."
🖨️ Printables
Press Print above to print the task cards below on US Letter paper.
Preposition task cards — act it out
Put the toy IN the box. 📦
Put the toy ON the chair. 🪑
Put the toy UNDER the table. 🛋️
Stand NEXT TO the door. 🚪
Hide BEHIND the couch. 🛋️
Stand IN FRONT OF the window. 🪟
Hold your hand ABOVE your head. 🙋
Put the ball BETWEEN your feet. ⚽
Put the cup ON the plate. ☕
Put the book UNDER the pillow. 📖
Put the pencil NEXT TO the paper. ✏️
Put the spoon IN the cup. 🥄
Put the hat ON your head. 🧢
Put the shoe BEHIND you. 👟
Put the teddy BETWEEN two pillows. 🧸
Hold the ball BELOW your knees. ⚽
Frequently asked questions
What order are prepositions learned in?
Many children understand in, on and under around age 2–3, next to, behind and in front of around 3–4, and between, above and below around 4–5. Using them in speech usually comes a little after understanding them.
How do I teach prepositions at home?
Use real objects and movement: put a toy in, on and under a box, and say the word as you do it. Then let the child give you directions.
More language activities
Related pages
All speech therapy activitiesLanguage milestones by ageAAC boards