How to Teach Positional Terms to Kindergarteners

Positional terms are words to describe where the action is taking place. Some examples of positional terms are the following: around, above, below, under and through. Positional terms can expand vocabulary and help kindergarteners see the relationship between directions and words.

Things You'll Need

• Picture cards of different positions
• Blanket
• Crayons
• Paper
• Stickers

Instructions

1. Use picture cards. Picture cards are an asset for teaching positional terms because children learn through example. Show the class a card with a positional picture on it. A picture of a person under a blanket is a good example. Tell the children that Joan or Jimmie is under the blanket.

2. Demonstrate the positions to the children. After verbally telling them that Jimmie or Joan (per the first example) is under the blanket, get under a blanket and cover yourself. Tell that children that you are now under the blanket.

3. Have the children demonstrate the positions themselves. Ask each child to get under the blanket and say: “I am under the blanket.”

4. Use real-life examples. Catch the children when they are in a position that you have discussed in class. When a child is under a table, for example, use that event as a lesson to demonstrate the positional term to the child and the rest of the class.

5. Color and draw pictures. Ask the children to color pictures of people or things in certain positions. They can also draw pictures. You can give the children sentences and ask them to draw a picture to express them. Here are some examples: Matt the cat is under the table. Robin the robin is above the clouds. Lisa and Larry are walking through the fog.

6. Play a game, using your picture cards. The children must tell you the position indicated in the card. You can also ask children to act out the position while the other children try to guess the answer. Children who name the position correctly can earn rewards such as colorful stickers.

7. Repeat, review and drill. Repeat the terms daily and practice them with the children until they have them memorized.