Prepositions of place are vital linguistic tools that help us describe the position and location of objects or people. As teachers and parents, introducing these concepts effectively can transform a child’s ability to express spatial relationships in both speech and writing. This comprehensive guide explores the most important prepositions of place, with practical classroom applications and learning resources.
What are Prepositions?
Prepositions are connecting words that show relationships between other words in a sentence. Prepositions of place specifically indicate where something or someone is located. These small but mighty words help children describe their world with precision and clarity.
“Teaching prepositions through physical movement and visual aids creates memorable learning experiences that children retain long after the lesson ends. When we incorporate these spatial concepts into everyday classroom activities, we’re building linguistic foundations that support communication across all subjects.” – Michelle Connolly, Founder of LearningMole.
When teaching prepositions, it’s helpful to remember that they generally fall into three main categories:
Teaching Tip: Use clear containers with small objects inside to demonstrate ‘in. Have pupils place items in different containers while verbalising the preposition: “I’m putting the crayon in the box.”
2. ON – For Surfaces
If something is on a line or a horizontal or vertical surface, we use ‘on’:
On the table
On the wall
On the floor
On the window
On the face
On the plate
On the page
On the sofa
On the chair
On the bag
On the river
On the bottle
On the bike
On his/her foot
On the desk
On the fridge
On the laptop
On the curtain
On the blanket
On the box
Teaching Tip: Create a ‘preposition station’ where pupils place various objects on different surfaces and describe what they’re doing. This hands-on approach reinforces the concept through physical movement.
3. AT – For Points
If something is at a point (it could be a building), we use ‘at’:
Teaching Tip: Create a simple map of a town with different locations. Ask pupils to place figurines “at the school,” “at the shop,” etc. This builds both preposition usage and geographical vocabulary.
UK: “different to” / US: “different from” or “different than”
UK: “in a team” / US: “on a team”
UK: “at university” / US: “in university” or “in college”
These distinctions help pupils understand the subtle variations in English used across different regions, which is particularly important for those preparing for standardised tests or communication in international contexts.
Classroom Activities for Teaching Prepositions
1. Preposition Treasure Hunt (KS1-KS2)
Materials needed: Objects to hide, preposition cards
Incorporate movement breaks for pupils with ADHD, using prepositions in instructions
Create visual preposition cards with symbols or photographs for non-verbal pupils
Assessment Opportunities
Observational Assessment: Note how pupils use prepositions in everyday conversation
Preposition Picture Labelling: Have pupils label pictures with the correct prepositions
Gap-Fill Activities: Create sentences with missing prepositions for pupils to complete
Speaking and Listening: Ask pupils to give directions using prepositions of place
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: At what age should children begin learning prepositions of place?
A: Children typically begin using basic prepositions like “in,” “on,” and “under” from around 2-3 years old, but formal teaching usually starts in Reception/Year 1.
Q: How can I help my child who confuses prepositions?
A: Use physical demonstrations, visual aids, and consistent practice in everyday situations. Point out prepositions in books and in the environment.
Q: Are prepositions the same in all variants of English?
A: While most prepositions are used consistently, there are some differences between British and American English, as noted in our UK vs US section.
Q: How do prepositions relate to the National Curriculum?
A: Understanding and correctly using prepositions is part of the grammar and punctuation requirements from KS1 onwards, supporting pupils’ writing development.
Share your preposition teaching successes with us below, or tell us about your favourite classroom activities for teaching this important aspect of grammar!
