Naming shapes around us and saying where things are
In Pre-K, children learn to name the shapes they see around them and to describe where things are, using words like top, bottom, in front of, behind, over, under, and next to.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
Try these with your child
These are real questions from our Pre-K practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
If you climb a ladder to the top, which direction are you going?
- Up
- Down
- Sideways
Why this matters
Position words like under, behind, and next to let your child follow directions and explain what they see, at home and in class. In math they later matter for reading charts and graphs, where the height of a bar or the place of a point carries the meaning, and for following a map. Spotting shapes in real objects builds the habit of noticing features, which leads to describing shapes by their sides and corners.
Where kids can get stuck
- Recognizing a circle in a picture book but not noticing that a plate, a wheel, or a coin is one too.
- Mixing up "in front of" and "behind," especially when an object such as a toy car faces away.
- Saying "on top of" for anything high, such as a picture on the wall above the sofa.
How you can help
- Play I Spy with shapes and positions, such as "I spy a circle next to the door," and let your child take turns giving the clues.
- Hide a toy in the room and give clues using position words, like "it is under something soft," then let your child hide it for you.
- On a walk, point out shapes in signs, windows, and wheels, and ask your child to say where each one is, such as above or next to something.
Want a little more? Watch the kid-friendly video below together, or try Bobby's Math Club for free practice that adapts to your child.
Kid-friendly explanation
Questions parents ask
Why is my child learning words like under, behind, and next to in math?
Position words describe space, which is a core part of geometry. Knowing where things are in relation to each other helps your child follow directions, describe what they see, and, later, read maps, diagrams, and graphs. Using the words in everyday situations makes them meaningful and easy to remember.
Why does my child need to find shapes in real objects?
Seeing a circle on a worksheet is different from noticing that a plate or a clock is a circle. Finding shapes in the world shows that your child understands what makes a shape what it is, not only what one picture looks like. It also helps your child see that geometry describes the things around them.
What position words should a Pre-K child know?
Common ones include top, bottom, up, down, in front of, behind, over, under, and next to. Your child should be able to use them to describe where an object is and to follow simple directions, such as "put the cup next to the plate." Words like beside, above, and below often follow in kindergarten.
Make learning math fun
Bobby's Math Club turns Pre-K math practice into something fun to do together.
- Unlimited practice, completely free
- Practice that starts where your child is and grows with them
- Hints when they are stuck, and a celebration when it clicks
Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
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Join the clubNote for teachers: This skill is covered by the Pre-K math learning standard PK.G.1: “Describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as top, bottom, up, down, in front of, behind, over, under, and next to.” Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow. (Pre-K standard PK.G.1)