Words like under, before, between, next to, and first are called basic concepts. Although they may seem simple, these words help children understand directions, participate in everyday routines, and make sense of the world around them.
Many families are surprised to learn that children can have a strong vocabulary—knowing the names of lots of objects—but still struggle with basic concepts. I often see this during evaluations. A child may easily identify a dog or a banana, but have difficulty following directions like, “Put the dog under the table,” or “Wash your hands before dinner.”
Basic concepts include many different types of words, including:
- Location: on, off, in, out, under, over, between, next to
- Size: big, little, tall, short
- Quantity: more, less, full, empty, all, none
- Time: first, last, before, after
- Feelings: happy, sad, excited, frustrated
- Descriptive words: hot, cold, wet, dry, fast, slow
The good news is that you don’t need flashcards or worksheets to teach these words. Children learn them best by hearing them naturally throughout the day during play and everyday routines.
Farm Play
Playing with toy animals is a simple way to model lots of concepts.
Instead of asking lots of questions, try narrating what you’re doing:
- “Let’s put the cow on the barn.”
- “Now the pig is under the bridge.”
- “The horse wants to go inside.”
- “Can you feed the big cow?”
- “The animals look happy!”
Bath Time
Bath time is another great opportunity.
You might say:
- “Your cup is full.”
- “Now it’s empty!”
- “Let’s put the duck in the water.”
- “Can you take it out?”
- “The water is warm.”
Reading Together
Almost any picture book can become a language activity.
As you read, comment on what you notice:
- “She’s hiding behind the tree.”
- “That bear is bigger than the rabbit.”
- “They’re standing next to each other.”
- “He looks sad.”
- “That happened before they went home.”
You don’t have to turn reading into a quiz. Simply talking about the pictures gives your child repeated opportunities to hear these important words.
Everyday Routines
One of my favorite recommendations for families is to weave these words into daily life.
You might naturally say things like:
- “Put your shoes on.”
- “Throw your napkin in the trash.”
- “Your oatmeal is hot.”
- “Let’s look under the couch.”
- “Your cup is empty.”
- “Dad goes first, then it’s your turn.”
Those little moments really add up over time.
A Final Tip
Parents often ask if they should quiz their child or ask lots of questions to make sure they’re learning. While questions certainly have a place, I usually encourage families to spend even more time modeling the words themselves.
Children learn language by hearing it over and over in meaningful situations. The more they hear words like under, before, empty, and between during everyday activities, the more likely they are to understand them—and eventually start using them on their own.
When should I be concerned?
If your child frequently has difficulty following directions that include words like under, between, before, or next to compared with other children their age, or if these challenges are affecting learning or daily routines, it may be worth talking with a speech-language pathologist. Difficulty understanding basic concepts can occur alongside other language delays, and early support can make a meaningful difference.
