Directional and Positional Words in Toddlers

By Mahak Arora - Updated: January 11, 2019

In this Article

What are Directional Words in Language?
What are Positional Words?

Are you geared to help your tot point out positions and directions? Help her move forward in her language acquisition milestone with these smart tips. Teaching directional words to your 21-month-old toddler with activities and worksheets is the way to go. You’ll love it too!

‘Above’ or ‘behind’- where will you place that cuddly rabbit? Turn your red car to the ‘left’ and the ‘yellow’ one to the right! Queries and instructions such as these may sound a tad heavy for your 21-month-old toddler. But then, she has to learn directional words. This is the time you can also begin including positional words that define the placement of an object.

What are Directional Words in Language?

Directional words are those that are relevant to pointing out directions. Think under, top, middle, bottom, left and centre. While the concept of directions can help your little one point out if the cat is ‘behind’ the sofa, or if B comes ‘after’ A, you need to go one further with positional words.

What are Positional Words?

Words used to describe the placement of things or people arranged in any given order are called positional words. Some examples are first, second, third, fourth and so on. Aside from adding to your child’s vocabulary, she’ll find it much easier to express certain things and ideas.

1. List of Directional Words for Toddlers

With elementary knowledge of directional words up her sleeve, your 21-month-old tot will find it easy to point out the place where she last saw her missing doll, guide you to your errant dog, or state where she would like to be seated at the dining table. Words you can teach include terms like above, after, before, between, bottom, middle, under, top, and beside. Meanwhile, the list of positional words for toddlers can include first, last, front, behind, next, and the sequence of second, third, fourth, fifth and so on.

2. Teaching Positional Words to a 21-month-old Toddler

Is your child on track with her language development skills? This is the time when she should be using about 30-40words regularly in the form of 2-3 word sentences. With a vocabulary boost in the offing, you can start including positional words in day-to-day conversations. Link together small words to make sense such as ‘walk right side’.

3. Preparing Positional and Directional Words Worksheets

Making learning interesting can simplify teaching and help your child grasp things quicker. Use fun and colourful worksheets for your toddler with the words spelled out in large fonts. You’ll find that she’s eager to learn through colourful, fun-filled activities.

4. Interesting Positional Language Activities

Remember playing ‘Simon Says’ that made you follow the leader and do as beckoned? Such kids’ games can be tweaked into positional and directional language activities. With them, you’ll have your daughter arranging red blocks ‘behind’ the black ones, fetching the pull cart parked ‘next’ to the wagon, and standing ‘second’ to her friend in a race.

Do you have interesting ideas to teach direction words to toddlers? Share them with us in the comments.

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