The Best ABA Game For Teaching Prepositions | Lakeshore Learning Toy Review

Children with autism often benefit from structured, hands-on learning, especially when it’s fun, engaging, and part of a consistent routine. One concept that can be tricky but important to teach is prepositions, or what we sometimes call positional words. These include “on,” “under,” “next to,” and “in” which are foundational for understanding directions and communicating effectively.

Whether you're a parent working with your child at home or supporting their progress in ABA therapy, games that teach prepositions can reinforce important learning goals. In this post, we’ll explore how to use an activity kit to teach prepositions and how you can even make your own version at home.

Why Prepositions Matter in ABA and Language Development

In applied behavior analysis (ABA), teaching language concepts like prepositions is a core part of building communication and understanding. Children might hear instructions like “Put the toy on the shelf” or “Stand next to your brother.” These prepositions help children navigate the world and follow directions. These are skills that are often targeted in ABA sessions.

Research shows that children typically begin understanding simple prepositions around 12 months of age, often hearing instructions like “Put it in the box” or “Take it out.” For children with autism, these concepts might take more time or require different teaching strategies and that’s okay.

A Fun, Hands-On Game to Teach Prepositions

One great tool to teach these concepts is the Positional Words Resource Box by Lakeshore Learning. While we’re not affiliated with Lakeshore or promoting their products, this resource offers a fantastic visual and tactile way to explore prepositions.

Here’s what’s included in the kit:

• Mini manipulatives (a frog, lily pad, car, bridge, duck, box, etc.)

• Instruction cards with prepositions highlighted

• Visual prompts on the back of each card to show proper placement

• Activity guide (optional, but helpful!)

  
  

This makes it easier for children to follow instructions like:

• Put the frog on the lily pad

• Place the car under the bridge

  
  

By pairing visual, verbal, and physical cues, this kind of activity aligns with how skills are taught in ABA therapy using prompts, reinforcement, and gradual fading.

Multiple Ways to Teach Prepositions Using ABA Principles

Every child learns differently, and ABA encourages tailoring instruction to your child’s strengths and needs. Here are a few approaches:

1. Matching Cards to Objects

If your child is strong in visual learning, they can start by matching the object setup to the visual prompt on the card.

2. Receptive Instruction (Following Directions)

Use the cards to give instructions like “Put the bear in the box” and see if your child can carry out the task. This targets receptive language, a key milestone in applied behavior analysis.

3. Using Visual Prompts

Some children benefit from seeing what the task should look like. Flip the card to reveal the visual model, then ask them to copy it using the manipulatives.

4. Fade Prompts Over Time

Start with the visual, then try asking without showing the card. Gradually, they’ll begin to understand the concept rather than just memorizing patterns.

5. Expressive Language Practice

Ask your child to describe the scene: “Where is the frog?” and look for answers like “On the lily pad.” This encourages expressive language which is another goal in many ABA programs.

Make Your Own Preposition Game at Home

If purchasing a kit isn’t in your budget, you can create your own version using common household items.

Here’s how:

• Use toys your child already loves (cars, animals, action figures)

• Create simple instruction cards with words or printed pictures

• Use boxes, cups, books, or chairs as props

Make it fun and interactive! Add silly elements like “Put the toy on your head!” or “Under the table!” to keep engagement high.

Generalization: Taking Prepositions Beyond the Game

A key principle of ABA therapy is generalization. Ensuring that a child can apply a skill in different contexts. Once your child understands prepositions with the game, try using the same language during everyday routines:

• “Put your shoes under the bench.”

• “Place your cup on the counter.”

• “Sit next to your sister.”

  
  

These real-life applications reinforce what they’ve learned in play, helping them internalize the concept.

Teaching prepositions may seem small, but it’s a foundational step in helping children with autism better understand and communicate in their world. Whether you're using a structured tool or everyday objects, what matters most is consistency, patience, and making it enjoyable.

By integrating ABA strategies like prompting, fading, and generalization, you’re giving your child the best opportunity to succeed not just in understanding prepositions, but in building critical communication skills.