Spatial Concepts Speech Therapy:
How To Teach a Child to Use Spatial Concepts

1. Demonstrate and Label the Spatial Concept

Once you’ve picked the concept you want to start with, demonstrate it for your child using real objects. For example, let’s say you chose “on”. You will want to get out some objects that will allow you to put one thing on top of another. Let’s say you choose a barn and a cow. Put the cow on the roof of the barn and say “On! The cow is on. Cow on”. Then, put the cow somewhere else. Shake your head and say “not on”. Now put the horse on and do the same thing. Keep demonstrating objects being on other objects until you feel absolutely ridiculous. Remember, children with language delays need to be shown a new concept many times before it starts to stick! Be sure you’re saying “on” and “not on” but don’t throw in any other concepts like “in” or “under” yet.

2. Following Directions with a Spatial Concept

Once you’ve thoroughly demonstrated on until you’re blue in the face, hand your child something and ask him to put it on. You could give him the cow and tell him to put it on the house. Do this with a variety of objects in a variety of contexts until your child can successfully put something on something else upon command.

3. Yes/No Questions About a Spatial Concept

Now it’s time to start asking your child if something is on. Put the cow somewhere and say “Is it on? Is it on the barn?” Exaggerate the word “on” when you say it so he knows that’s the concept you’re targeting. Keep doing this until he can answer “yes/no” questions about “on” very reliably.

4. Where is It?

Now that we’ve done all of this prep work, it’s finally time for your child to say the word! He may have already been saying it by this point but if not, start asking him the question “where’s the ____?” when you put something on. We want him to respond with “on” or “on the ____”. And voila! You’ve now taught your child a spatial concept. Once he gets this solid, try teaching him a second one using the same procedure.