Position Play
Here's What To Do
1
Find a toy and a box big enough to fit the toy inside
2
Ask your child to place the toy in and out of the box. If your child is unsure, use the toy to demonstrate the opposite positions and ask again.
3
If your child understands in/out, repeat with more difficult positional words like: up/down, above/below, in front/behind, next to, inside/outside, over/under.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Sit with your baby on the floor and settle in together side by side.
E
Engage:
- Ask your child to follow a direction like this:
- -"Can you put the bear in the box?"
- -"Can you take the block out of the box?"
E
Encourage:
- Try demonstrating opposite directions, like this: "Now the bear is in front. And now the bear is behind. In front. Behind. So let's try again… can you put the bear in front?"
- Your child is just learning how to follow directions, and what these positional words mean. Don't worry if they don't get it right!
R
Reflect:
- Are there any directional words your child seems to understand consistently? Are there any words they haven't learned yet?
Not quite ready?
Move the toy for your child and describe its position
Ready for more?
Try trickier positional words like: between, near/far, top/bottom
As your child masters this skill...
They will be able to follow simple position words like "in" and "out."