Learning Spatial Concepts In Play

When exploring their world, children are naturally developing an understanding of spatial relationships – how objects and their own bodies exist in space. Spatial awareness and learning spatial concepts is an important language skill. Here's how to transform everyday games and activities into powerful learning experiences to help learn spatial concepts and increase their communication skills!

• Model language through gestures, visuals, AAC, and spoken language 

  • Provide examples through spoken language or AAC (e.g., I found the cow! It’s under the bed) while pointing to pictures or toys

• Use real life objects (toys, personal items, common objects) 

  • What are some toys, activities, or characters your child really likes right now?

  • Incorporate them into identifying these concepts (e.g., Slide: go on the slide, climb up the ladder, crawl under the slide)

• Let the child place the items in respective places to show that preposition or model language to describe it as they’re playing 

  • Kinesthetic learning is an effective approach to learn through physical movement, hands-on activities, role-playing, or physically manipulating objects to grasp concepts

• Make it relatable to realistic scenarios

  • When concepts are applied to routines or realistic situations (e.g., toothbrush in our mouth, toy went under the bed, the hat is on my head), it helps your child make connections with their experiences 

• Be interactive and have fun! 

  • Playing games such as hide and seek or bear hunt, making “mistakes”, and being silly will help keep your child engaged!

  • Try playing hide and seek with your child or an object hiding (e.g., Where are you? Hmmm are you under the blanket? No! Are you behind the door? Aw man, nope! Maybe you’re inside the tent… Oh wait, I found you, you’re between the shelves!)

Learning spatial concepts and reasoning is a foundational element for understanding the world around them. By intentionally integrating spatial concepts into everyday play—through blocks, puzzles, outdoor exploration, and even simple games—you provide your child with opportunities to build, test, and solidify their understanding of how objects relate to each other in space. This playful approach not only makes learning enjoyable and accessible but also cultivates critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills!