Spatial words: how the skill grows from 15 to 36 months
Spatial words means understanding and using words for where things are: in, on, under, up, down, behind, next to. These little words are everywhere in directions and help a child describe the world.
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Spatial words: the ladder, step by step
Pick the step that looks most like your child today. The next step and activities that practise it appear below.
No step picked yet. There is no wrong answer: pick the closest one.
Next step: Understands "in". Puts a toy in a basket when you ask.
Activities that fit this step
- Pull the Blanket, Reach the Toy · 12–17 months · 3–6 min
- In and Out Basket Climb · 12–20 months · 5–10 min
- Cushion Mountain Climb · 12–22 months · 5–12 min
Next step: Understands "on" and "under". Puts teddy on the chair or under the blanket on request.
Activities that fit this step
- Scarf Float Up-and-Down Song · 13–22 months · 3–8 min
- Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under · 13–22 months · 3–8 min
- Two Lumps Under the Blanket · 14–22 months · 3–8 min
Next step: Says place words. Says "up!" to be lifted or "in" while posting.
Activities that fit this step
- Throw into the Hoop · 18–36 months · 5–12 min
- Scarf Copycat Dance · 19–28 months · 5–10 min
- Copy-My-Bridge Block Build · 24–34 months · 5–12 min
Next step: Describes where. Says "ball under chair" when a toy rolls away.
Activities that fit this step
- Tape Parking Lot for Two · 25–33 months · 10–15 min
- Under, Over, Through Car Roads · 25–35 months · 8–15 min
- Tube and Block City · 26–36 months · 10–20 min
Top of the ladder (describes where). Keep it flexible: offer it in a new place, with a different person or with new materials.
Activities that fit this step
- Washcloth Fold and Stack · 26–36 months · 5–10 min
- Chalk Road Car Trip · 27–36 months · 10–20 min
- Shadow Stomp and Wave · 27–36 months · 5–15 min
The spatial words ladder
5 steps from the first sign to a flexible skill, covered here from 15 to 36 months. Children move at their own pace: use the steps to see what comes next, not as deadlines.
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Hears place words
Watches as you say "in the box" while dropping a ball in.
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Understands "in"
Puts a toy in a basket when you ask.
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Understands "on" and "under"
Puts teddy on the chair or under the blanket on request.
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Says place words
Says "up!" to be lifted or "in" while posting.
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Describes where
Says "ball under chair" when a toy rolls away.
When spatial words usually shows up
Spatial words are not a CDC checklist item. "In", "up" and "down" are often understood first, during the second year; "on" and "under" follow, and "behind" and "next to" usually come later.
This page follows spatial words from 15 to 36 months, a window that spans the 15-month, 18-month, 24-month, 30-month and 36-month CDC checklists.
In the library, 20 activities practise spatial words (4 as their main skill), for ages 12 to 36 months. 7 of them need no prep and take 10 minutes or less. By age, they sit closest to steps 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the 5-step ladder.
Activities that practise spatial words
Placed on the closest ladder step by age. By primary domain: 7 cognitive, 4 early concepts, 3 creativity & pretend, 3 gross motor, 1 fine motor, 1 practical life and 1 social-emotional. Quickest to start: Pull the Blanket, Reach the Toy (3–6 minutes).
Step 1: Hears place words
Step 2: Understands "in"
Step 3: Understands "on" and "under"
Step 4: Says place words
- Copy-My-Bridge Block Build (24–34 mo)
- Hoop Island Jump (24–34 mo)
- Tape Parking Lot for Two (25–33 mo)
- Under, Over, Through Car Roads (25–35 mo)
- Tube and Block City (26–36 mo)
- Tube Garden Copycat (26–36 mo)
- Washcloth Fold and Stack (26–36 mo)
- Chalk Road Car Trip (27–36 mo)
- Shadow Stomp and Wave (27–36 mo)
Skills practised alongside
The activities for spatial words most often also work on imitating actions (4), action songs (2), building and constructing (2), cause and effect (2) and climbing on and off furniture (2). Pairing them keeps practice playful: one activity, several skills.
Practise it inside everyday routines
- Use place words during routines: "Shoes on, coat on, out the door."
- Play hide-and-find with teddy in, on and under familiar furniture.
- Say "up" and "down" on stairs, slides and swings.
What to avoid
- Turning it into a test; use the words while things are actually moving.
When to mention it to the pediatrician
Spatial words are not a milestone on their own. If your child does not follow simple directions by 18 months, mention that at the checkup instead.
Worried about spatial words between visits? Call the pediatrician; CDC's free resources also explain how to contact your local Early Intervention program directly. Milestones are for monitoring, not diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
When do toddlers start spatial words?
Spatial words are not a CDC checklist item. "In", "up" and "down" are often understood first, during the second year; "on" and "under" follow, and "behind" and "next to" usually come later. The first step to look for: watches as you say "in the box" while dropping a ball in.
How can I help my toddler with spatial words?
Use place words during routines: "Shoes on, coat on, out the door." Play hide-and-find with teddy in, on and under familiar furniture. A good first activity is Cushion Mountain Climb (12–22 months).
What should I avoid when practising spatial words?
Turning it into a test; use the words while things are actually moving.
When should I mention spatial words to the pediatrician?
Spatial words are not a milestone on their own. If your child does not follow simple directions by 18 months, mention that at the checkup instead. You can also contact Early Intervention yourself.
Related
Monitoring, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about any concern. Our sources and method.