About this activity
Twelve sentences covering three prepositions: the cat is in the box, on the box, under the box; the ball is in the basket, on the table, under the chair; the shoes are in the closet, the book is on the shelf, the dog is under the bed. The first three use the same object and the same container, which is the design — only the preposition changes, so it is the only thing that can carry the meaning.
How to use it in a session
Do it with real objects before the cards. Put something in, on and under a box while saying it, then ask the child to do it, then ask them to say it — the physical version is comprehension and the spoken version is production, and they need to happen in that order. Eight minutes covers the twelve with real objects for the first few.
What to listen for
Watch the receptive half first. A child who puts the object in the right place understands the preposition; one who names it correctly may be relying on the picture. In is usually acquired first, on second and under third, so a child accurate on in and not under is on the expected path rather than behind.
Carrying it home
Prepositions are in every instruction at home: put it on the table, look under the bed, it's in the drawer. Emphasising the preposition slightly, and pausing after it, is a small change that helps a lot.
Questions
- What ages is this for?
- Kindergarten through second grade, and it works for preschoolers with real objects.
- Do I need an account?
- No, all twelve sentences play free.
- Which preposition should I teach first?
- In, then on, then under. That is the usual order of acquisition, and teaching them in that order means each new one contrasts with something already known.