Position Words: Above, Below, Next To

Kindergarten · Math · Study Guide

Learn words that describe where something is located in relation to something else.

Position words tell us where things are. We use them every day to give directions and describe where objects are found.

Above means higher up than something else. The clouds are above the ground. A bird sitting on top of a house is above the house.

Below means lower than something else. The floor is below the ceiling. A fish swimming under the water is below the surface.

Next to means right beside something, on either the left or right side. Your pencil might be next to your paper. A chair next to a table is right beside it.

Other important position words include: inside (in the container), outside (not in the container), between (in the middle of two things), in front of (closer to you than the object), and behind (farther away, with something blocking it).

Learning position words helps you follow directions, read maps, and communicate with others clearly. When someone says 'the toy is behind the couch,' you know exactly where to look!

Key terms

Above
Higher than something else; over it.
Below
Lower than something else; under it.
Next To
Right beside something on the left or right side.
Between
In the middle of two things.
Behind
At the back of something; hidden by it.
In Front Of
Closer to you than the object; at the front side.

Flashcards

Above
Higher up. The sun is above the trees.
Below
Lower down. The roots are below the ground.
Next To
Right beside. My bag is next to my desk.
Between
In the middle of two things. The dog is between two children.
Behind
At the back. The cat is hiding behind the couch.
In Front Of
At the front, facing forward. The teacher stands in front of the class.
Inside
Within a container or space. The ball is inside the box.
Outside
Not inside; beyond the walls. The kids play outside.

Questions

  1. The bird is sitting on a branch that is above the ground. Where is the branch?

    1. Below the ground
    2. Higher than the ground
    3. Next to the ground
    4. Behind the ground
    Show answer

    Answer: Higher than the ground

    Above means higher than something else, so the branch is higher than the ground.

  2. Below means higher than something else.

    Show answer

    Answer: False

    Below means lower than something else. Above means higher.

  3. The cat is sitting ___ the chair — right beside it. (next to or above)

    Show answer

    Answer: next to

    Next to means right beside something, on either side of it.

  4. A book is between two bookends. What does 'between' mean?

    1. Above both bookends
    2. In the middle of the two bookends
    3. Behind the bookends
    4. Below the bookends
    Show answer

    Answer: In the middle of the two bookends

    Between means in the middle of two things. A book between two bookends is in the middle.

  5. The sky is above the ground.

    Show answer

    Answer: True

    The sky is above the ground. We look up to see the sky.

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