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Math

Materials:

Purple flower

A small stuffed animal (or favorite toy); A safe space with furniture or items to use for hiding (e.g., chair, table, pillow).

Your Child Will Learn

To use positional words to locate an object

wheres-the-teddy

Where’s the Teddy?

Here's What To Do

1

Tell your child, "We’re going to play a game where you help Teddy find his spot. I'll give you clues like 'under' or 'next to,' and you’ll use those clues to find him!"

2

Hide the teddy under a pillow where your child can see, and say, "Teddy is hiding under the pillow." Show them how to look under to find Teddy.

3

Hide the teddy again (e.g., under a chair). Say, "Teddy is hiding under the chair. Can you find him?"

4

Repeat the game with various spots like on top of the table, next to the sofa, or behind the box.

Mother and child play together (animated).

Put PEER Into Action

P

Pause:

  • Take three cleansing breaths.
E

Engage:

  • "What other places could Teddy hide under or next to in the room?"
  • “What clues can you use to help you find Teddy?”
E

Encourage:

  • "You’re doing such a great job remembering where things are like 'under' and 'on top.' You can do this!"
  • “I know it’s hard when you can’t find Teddy right away. Let’s take a deep breath and try again.”
R

Reflect:

  • “How did it feel when it was hard to find Teddy? How about when it was easy?"

Not quite ready?

Reduce the number of clues and place the Teddy in an obvious spot.

Ready for more?

Ask your child to hide the Teddy and give you clues to find it.

Variable color muffin tins (animated)

As your child masters this skill...

They will more easily understand different position words and will use some in their vocabulary.

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