Unlocking the "Where": A Parent's Guide to Teaching Prepositions

Teaching Prepositions in Homeschool

Whether you are a homeschool parent or not, we are our children's first teachers, and language development is a huge part of that journey. As a matter of fact, the first thing we teach them is speech. We teach them tone, dialect, and slang with prepositions all in the mix. We have our own way of teaching them how to use words that tell us where things are, or when something happens? These are prepositions, and understanding them is a crucial step in your child's language development.

Little Words, Big On Importance

Prepositions might seem small, but they play a big role! Prepositions express the relationship between different elements in a sentence, primarily showing the connection between a noun or pronoun and other words. Think about it: without prepositions, we couldn't easily explain where the toy is (is it in the box, on the shelf, or under the bed?), or when we're going to the park (are we going after lunch or before dinner?).

Children need prepositions in order to follow directions. Kids want their independence.  It is a part of their growth and development. Prepositions play a huge role in their ability to understand instructions.  Imagine asking your child to put their shoes under the table – they need to know what "under" means to follow your direction! This understanding of location and spatial relationships is even fundamental for subjects like math.

Fun ways to teach prepositions

Making Learning Fun: Hands-On Activities

The best way for young children to grasp prepositions is through fun, hands-on activities. Forget endless worksheets – let's get moving!

• The Toy Game: Grab a favorite toy and some household items like a box, a chair, and a pillow. Ask your child to place the toy in different locations: "Can you put the bear on the pillow?" "Now, can you put the car under the chair?" "Let's put the doll in the box!".

• Obstacle Course Fun: If you have some space, create a simple obstacle course. Give your child instructions using prepositions: "Go around the chair." "Crawl through the tunnel." "Jump over the cushion.". You can even blindfold them (in a safe area!) and have another family member guide them using only prepositional language. This really shows how important it is to use the right words!

• "I Spy" with a Preposition Twist: Play "I Spy" but focus on location. For example, "I spy with my little eye something on the table."

The Power of Pictures

Visual aids are another fantastic tool.

• Directed Drawing: Try giving simple instructions that involve prepositions as your child draws. "Draw a sun above the clouds." "Can you draw a tree beside the house?". 

• Picture Books: Look for picture books that highlight prepositions in their illustrations and text. 

Think About Meaning

Instead of just teaching prepositions as random words, try grouping them by what they mean.

• Place: Talk about words like in, on, under, beside, behind, in front of, next to.

• Time: Discuss prepositions like before, after, during, until, on (for days), in (for months/years), at (for specific times).

• Movement: Explore words such as to, from, towards, through, into, out of, up, down.

Comparing and contrasting prepositions with similar meanings (like on and under, or in and outside) can really help your child understand the subtle differences.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

• Pronoun Power: When a preposition is followed by a pronoun, make sure it's in its object form (me, him, her, us, them), not the subject form (I, he, she, we, they). For example, "This gift is for her and me." (Not "she and I").

• Prepositions Need Friends (Objects): Remember that a preposition always has an object – a noun, pronoun, or something acting like a noun – that follows it (though not always immediately).

Be Patient and Watch Out for Language Leaps

Sometimes, your child's first language might influence how they understand and use English prepositions. For instance, they might use a preposition where English doesn't, or miss one out. Just gently correct them with examples.

Teaching prepositions doesn't have to be a chore! By making it interactive, visual, and focused on real-world connections, you can help your child build a strong foundation for understanding these essential little words. Have fun exploring the "where," "when," and "how" of language together!

Sources:  

Nichole {youclevermonkey}. “TEACHING PREPOSITIONS.” You Clever Monkey, www.youclevermonkey.com/2015/11/teaching-prepositions.html.

‌Josef, Essberger. “Tips for Teaching Prepositions.” English Club, www.englishclub.com/efl/tefl/skills/tips-for-teaching-prepositions/.

Curated by NotebookLM

Prepositions activities for 4th grade