Spatial orientation

For young children, spatial words such as forwards, backwards, over, and under aren’t easy to understand. But they gradually get the hang of these words by hearing them in different contexts.

What are spatial words?

Spatial words are words that are used to situate people and objects in relation to each other in space, or in relation to ourselves. For example: forwards and backwards, above and below, up and down, etc.

Initially, children understand these words in relation to themselves (e.g., “The book is next to me.”) Eventually, they learn how these same words are used to describe objects in relation to each other (e.g., “The book is next to the little truck.”)

When a child begins to understand spatial words, it indicates that they’re getting comfortable with more abstract words. Understanding these words helps children follow everyday instructions and, eventually, their routine at school. For example, understanding spatial concepts helps children to understand instructions like “Draw a line under the word ...”, find their way around a notebook, and understand written directions.

At what age do children start to understand spatial words?

Around 1½ to 2 years of age, toddlers begin to understand the simplest spatial words, such as in, up, down, on, and under. Children understand the meaning of the words before being able to use them in speech.

At 3 to 5 years of age, they can understand and use several spatial words, even if they sometimes make mistakes. They have an increasingly firm grasp of more complex terms such as forwards, backwards, and between. For example, they understand when a car is in front of a truck.

Most children master the concepts of left and right between the ages of 5 and 7.

Activities to help your child understand spatial words

You can help your child better understand spatial words by giving them concrete examples in different contexts, using words they know.

Play is also a great way to help your child learn. Here are some age-appropriate activities to do with your child.

Age 1 to 3

• Ask your toddler to place objects in a box.
• Suggest throwing a ball or blowing soap bubbles up or down.
• Invite them to place magnets on the fridge, on the top or bottom.
• Ask your child to place a toy on a piece of furniture, or underneath it.
• Suggest hiding under the table or under the blankets.
• Create an obstacle course, then describe their actions as they’re doing them: “You’re crawling under the chair,”“You’re walking on the cushions,”etc.
• Stack blocks to make a tower and tell your child, “I put the red block on top of the blue block.”

Age 3 to 5

• Continue to use spatial words regularly when talking with your child. You can describe the things they do throughout the day and during playtime. In the car, for example, you can say, “You’re sitting behind me.” You can also describe what you’re doing by saying things like, “I’m putting the milk away in the refrigerator.”
• Compare two opposing concepts: “The cat is on top of your bed” versus “The doll is under your bed.”
• Ask your child to place a toy somewhere in relation to another toy (e.g., “Place the car behind the truck”). To help them understand your request, you can place the toy in the right spot a few times before asking them to do it on their own.

• Once your child has a good understanding of spatial words in the three-dimensional context, you can practise understanding them in two dimensions. For example, ask your child to draw something or place a sticker next to, under, near, or far from a character or object that already appears in their drawing.
• At mealtimes, you can tell your child where to put their utensils, for example: “Put the spoon beside the knife.”
• Invite your child to play detective and find a missing object, or to go on a treasure hunt. For example, you could give them instructions to help them find a stuffed animal that you’ve hidden, saying, “Look for your stuffed animal under the bed.”
• Play together with person or animal figurines and give instructions. For example, you can say, “Go to the top of the farm, pig!” or “Hide behind the sheep, horse!”
• Create an obstacle course incorporating more advanced spatial concepts. For example, say to your child, “Hide behind the curtain.”
• Read your child books about opposites. These books often feature spatial owords. You can borrow some from your local library.
• Use building games to stimulate understanding of spatial words. For example, ask your child to place a block between the blue and red blocks in their creation.

Things to keep in mind

• Children begin to understand spatial words around age 1½ to 2. They get the hang of these words by hearing them in different contexts.
• Knowing spatial words helps children understand instructions.
• Spatial words are part of everyday life, so it’s easy to use them in everyday activities and while playing with your child.

Scientific review: Agathe Tupula Kabola, speech therapist Research and copywriting:The Naître et grandir team Updated: July 2025

Photo: iStock.com/WaldemarMilz