Prepositions are not taught with Flash Cards
Thinking about prepositions reminds me of a child I saw a long time ago. His mum was really proud that he knew all his prepositions (or location words). However, when I tested it out using physical objects, he was dumbfounded as to my question of “Where is XX?”
I then reported my observation to mum, and enquired how he was taught prepositions. This was when she revealed, “Oh we used flash cards!”
No wonder he couldn’t draw the link. It’s hard to figure out if the word “In” is referring to the object, or the object that it is relative to, or, to its position in a flash card. With many of our kids with language delays, prepositions are too complex to be taught in 2D. For these kids, nothing beats using real life objects when teaching prepositions.
How to Teach Prepositions
Here are some ways to teach prepositions that I found to work very well for young children. Not only do they work, they are lots of fun too!
Simon Says
Place two chairs facing each other and take turns to give commands to each other. For example, you might say “Simon says, go next to your chair!” or “Simon says, stand behind your chair!” and so on and so forth using various prepositions.
Treasure Hunt
Wrap your child’s favourite snack in cling wrap and hide them around various positions around your home. Go with your child and hunt for these “treasures”, labelling their position as you go along. For example, if your preposition target is “under”, you might say “Is cookie under the table? No…”, “Is cookie under the carpet? No….” Continue like this until you find it.
When you have found the “treasure”, ask your child “Where was the cookie?” and let him tell you where it was. If he fails to answer after a few seconds, model the preposition sentence for him. “The cookie was under the pillow!” and encourage him to imitate.
Mountain and Lion
This is a modified version of the game battle ship. Create an image of an object on a sheet of paper. It could be anything really, but let’s assume you are using the image of a mountain. Next, laminate the sheet of paper. Paste velcro hook dots on various position around the mountain.
Then create a smaller image of, let’s say a lion, and laminate it. Add velcro loops on the back of the lion image. Make sure you have two copies of both the mountain and the lion.
Each of you will get one mountain and one lion. Now you can take turns to guess where your opponent’s lion is relative to the mountain. Ask each other preposition questions like “Is your lion on top of the mountain?” Keep asking until one of you successfully guesses the position of the other’s lion.
Using vehicle toys
This game is a favourite for boys who love vehicle toys. Set up mountains, tunnels and houses and so on. Then move your vehicle to various positions. Try to insert prepositions into this activity. Ask your child “Should car go in the tunnel?” “Should car go up or down the mountain?” and let him tell you what to do.
Puzzle Relay
Set up a empty wooden puzzle board on one end of the room, and a table some distance away. Then place the wooden puzzle pieces around various locations relative to the table. Give the child instructions like “Get the puzzle next to the table” and then get him to run back and place it in the puzzle board. This game works like magic for kids who are always on the move. So why not work off some of their energy while helping them to learn prepositions?
Conclusion
There are many ways to teach prepositions to kids. The key is to keep it real while keeping it fun. What are some ways that you have found to work with the children you see? Share it below.
