Year 1 · Mathematics · Space
Position and movement
Using words such as above, below, beside, in front of and behind to describe where things are, and following simple movement instructions.
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These lessons were written around Australian Curriculum strands and matched to UK year groups by age (Year 1 is the year a child turns 6 in England). They are not mapped to the National Curriculum in England or the curricula of Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, so check them against your own plans.
Learning goals
Learners will
- Use position words such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, in, on and under.
- Describe where an object is compared with another object.
- Follow and give simple movement instructions such as forwards, backwards, up, down and turn.
Success looks like
- I can put a toy above, below, beside, in front of or behind something when asked.
- I can tell you where something is using a position word.
- I can follow simple instructions to move and give instructions to someone else.
The big idea
Position words tell us where something is. They are very useful in everyday life: 'Your shoes are under the bed', 'Stand behind the line', 'The cup is beside the plate.'
Start with a toy and a box. Put the toy on the box, in the box, under the box, beside the box, in front of the box and behind the box. Say each word as you go.
Then swap roles. Ask your child to put the toy in a position, such as 'Put teddy behind the box.' Next, put the toy somewhere and ask, 'Where is teddy?' Encourage a full answer such as 'Teddy is under the chair.'
Above and below describe higher and lower. A light is above the table; the floor is below the table. These words do not need the objects to touch.
Movement words tell us how to move: forwards, backwards, up, down, turn and stop. Play a 'robot' game where your child follows instructions like 'Take 3 steps forwards, then turn around.'
Remember that 'in front of' and 'behind' can change depending on which way you are facing. If you are unsure, say what something is in front of: 'in front of the couch, on the side where we sit'.
- Where things are: above, below, beside, in front of, behind, in, on, under.
- How to move: forwards, backwards, up, down, turn, stop.
Worked examples
Where is the teddy?
A teddy is sitting on the floor right next to the side of a chair. Where is the teddy?
- Look at the teddy and the chair.
- The teddy is not on top of the chair or underneath it.
- It is right next to the side of the chair.
Answer: The teddy is beside the chair.
Following instructions
Start at the door. Walk 3 steps forwards, then turn and walk 2 steps backwards. What did you do?
- Stand at the door facing into the room.
- Count as you walk forwards: 1, 2, 3.
- Turn around as asked, then step backwards carefully: 1, 2.
Answer: You moved 3 steps forwards, turned and moved 2 steps backwards.
Above or below?
A picture hangs on the wall over the couch. Is the picture above or below the couch?
- Look at which one is higher up.
- The picture is higher than the couch.
- Higher up means above.
Answer: The picture is above the couch, and the couch is below the picture.
Practice check
Have a go, then check your answers. Each answer comes with an explanation.
Answer guide for parents
A cat is hiding under the table. Where is the cat?
under the table — The cat is underneath the table, so it is under the table.
A bird flies higher than a tree. Is the bird above or below the tree?
above — Higher up than something means above it.
The cup is right next to the plate. Which word fits? The cup is ___ the plate.
beside — Right next to something means beside it.
Your shoes are on the floor and your bed is higher up. The shoes are ___ the bed.
below — The shoes are lower down than the bed, so they are below it.
Which way do you walk if you move the way you are facing: forwards or backwards?
forwards — Moving the way you are facing is moving forwards.
In a line, Ben stands at the front and Ava stands at the back. Where is Ava?
behind Ben — Ava is at the back of the line, so she is behind Ben.
The toy car is inside the box. Which word fits? The car is ___ the box.
in — Inside the box means the car is in the box.
You take 2 steps forwards, then 2 steps backwards. Are you back where you started? Answer yes or no.
yes — 2 steps forwards and then 2 steps backwards brings you back to the same spot.
Watch out for
- Mixing up above and on. Show that 'on' means touching the top, while 'above' means higher up and may not touch.
- Confusing in front of and behind when objects face different ways. Use objects with a clear front, such as a chair, and talk about which side is the front.
- Thinking 'backwards' means turning around. Practise stepping backwards slowly without turning, with a clear space behind.
Tips for parents
- Use position words naturally all day: 'Put your plate beside the sink', 'Your hat is behind the door.'
- Play 'I spy' using position: 'I spy something under the table.'
- Keep the movement games safe: clear the floor and walk slowly when moving backwards.
Go further
- Hide a toy and give clues using position words until your child finds it, then swap roles.
- Make a tape path on the floor and give 'robot' instructions to move a toy or your child along it.
- Build a small scene with toys and describe it: 'The horse is beside the barn, the bird is above the tree.'
About 25 minutes
You'll need
- A favourite soft toy or small figure
- A cardboard box or chair
- Cups, a teddy and household objects to arrange
- Masking tape or chalk to make a path on the floor
Key words
- above
- Higher up than something else.
- below
- Lower down than something else.
- beside
- Right next to something, at the side.
- in front of
- Closer to the front; the side you would face.
- behind
- At the back of something.
- forwards
- Moving the way you are facing.
Still tricky?
For parents
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Next steps (Year 2)