Hands on Math 2– Spatial concepts

Spatial concepts is the relationship between people and objects, as well as objects with one another. Children need vocabulary that will help them to describe position, direction and relationships. This vocabulary and the conceptual awareness will be useful when they start to classify and order materials.

Concepts like in front of, behind, top, bottom, over, under, last, between, farthest, backward, in, on, etc., help us understand directions more precisely, ask detailed questions, and express our ideas to others.For preschoolers, an awareness or understanding of spatial concepts and relationships usually predicts later success in math, reading, and following directions.

Here are some activities for your child to learn spatial concepts :

1. Obstacle course

Set up an obstacle source using rope, boxes. Give directions that emphasize position and direction. For example, "Go under/over the rope," "Step over the box," "Walk around the circle," "Stand inside the circle."

2. Simon or Mummy says

Direct child's attention to direction words when playing "Simon/Mummy says".

3. Stackable Snacks

Make sandwiches by spreading butter ON the sandwich, then talk about bread that is on TOP of the cheese, the ham that is in the MIDDLE and other ingredients in the bottom.

4.  Left, Right

Give child a sheet of construction paper that has been folded in half. Ask the child to dip their right hand in paint and make a print of the right side of the paper. Do the same with the left hand.

5.Spatial concepts cards

You can print 2 sets of these spatial concepts cards to play matching pairs, or use these animal cutouts to explore spatial relationships, e.g., "Put the dog on the chair," etc.

6. Exploring spatial concepts using manipulatives

Create a grid of 9 squares on a piece of paper and give child 5-10 colours of unifix cubes (you can use LEGO cubes for this activity)

• Provide the child with verbal directional instructions. For example: “Place the red cube on top of the blue cube,” or “Place the yellow cube ‘below’ the red cube,” or "Put the green cube on the right of the yellow cube," etc.
• Continue giving directions. Offer the children additional colors for an extra challenge.

View this video of how spatial concepts can be taught using manipulatives :

Hands-on spatial concepts from Rachel T on Vimeo.