Beginner Preposition Worksheets for Kindergarten

Prepositions are the unsung heroes of the English language, quietly but crucially connecting words and ideas. For kindergarteners, grasping the concept of prepositions is a foundational step towards building strong language skills. Understanding these little words helps children describe where things are, when things happen, and how things relate to each other. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to teaching prepositions to young learners, complete with definitions, examples, and practical exercises to make learning fun and effective. This guide will benefit teachers, parents, and anyone involved in early childhood education.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What are Prepositions?
3. Types of Prepositions
4. Examples of Prepositions in Sentences
5. Usage Rules for Prepositions
6. Common Mistakes with Prepositions
7. Practice Exercises
8. Advanced Topics on Prepositions
9. Frequently Asked Questions
10. Conclusion

What are Prepositions?

Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. They typically indicate location, direction, time, or manner. Think of them as the glue that holds the different parts of a sentence together, providing essential context and clarity. Understanding prepositions is crucial for building a strong foundation in grammar and sentence structure.

Classification and Function

Prepositions are classified based on what they connect and the type of relationship they express. Their primary function is to link nouns or pronouns to other elements in a sentence, providing information about where, when, or how something is related. This connecting role is what makes them so essential in constructing meaningful sentences. Without prepositions, sentences would lack crucial contextual details, making it difficult to understand the relationships between different elements.

Contexts of Prepositions

Prepositions are used in a variety of contexts to describe different types of relationships. They can indicate spatial relationships (e.g., on the table, under the chair), temporal relationships (e.g., at noon, before dinner), or other types of relationships (e.g., of great importance, by mistake). Recognizing these different contexts is key to understanding how prepositions function in a sentence. The context often dictates which preposition is the most appropriate to use, ensuring clarity and precision in communication.

Types of Prepositions

Prepositions can be categorized based on the type of relationship they express. Here are some common types of prepositions:

Prepositions of Location

These prepositions indicate where something is located. Some common examples include on, in, at, under, over, beside, and between. They help describe the position of one object in relation to another. For young learners, these are often the first prepositions they encounter and understand.

Prepositions of Time

These prepositions indicate when something happens. Common examples include at, on, in, before, after, during, and until. They help specify the timing of events or actions. Teaching these prepositions helps children understand and express temporal relationships.

Prepositions of Direction

These prepositions indicate movement or direction. Examples include to, from, through, across, up, down, and into. They describe the path or direction of an action or object. These prepositions are essential for describing movement and spatial relationships in a dynamic context.

Prepositions of Agent

These prepositions indicate the agent performing an action. Common examples include by and with. These prepositions help specify who or what is responsible for a particular action or event. While less common in early learning, they are important for understanding cause and effect.

Examples of Prepositions in Sentences

To help kindergarteners understand prepositions, it’s essential to provide numerous examples in simple, clear sentences. Here are several examples organized by preposition type.

Preposition of Location Examples

The following table provides examples of prepositions of location. These examples are designed to be simple and easy for kindergarteners to understand.

Preposition	Example Sentence
On	The book is on the table.
In	The toy is in the box.
At	The girl is standing at the door.
Under	The cat is sleeping under the chair.
Over	The plane is flying over the clouds.
Beside	The dog is sitting beside the boy.
Between	The house is between the trees.
Above	The picture is above the sofa.
Below	The fish swims below the surface.
Near	The park is near my house.
Behind	The car is behind the truck.
In front of	The tree is in front of the building.
Around	The children are playing around the tree.
Against	The ladder is leaning against the wall.
Inside	The cookies are inside the jar.
Outside	The birds are singing outside the window.
Throughout	The lights are throughout the house.
Upon	The cat jumped upon the counter.
With	The girl came with her mom.
Without	He went without his hat.
Across	The bridge goes across the river.
Along	The path runs along the beach.
Among	The sheep are among the cows.
Beneath	The treasure is buried beneath the sand.
By	The shop is by the river.

Preposition of Time Examples

The following table provides examples of prepositions of time. These examples help illustrate how prepositions are used to indicate when something happens.

Preposition	Example Sentence
At	We eat breakfast at 7 AM.
On	The party is on Saturday.
In	We go swimming in the summer.
Before	Wash your hands before dinner.
After	We play games after school.
During	We sleep during the night.
Until	Stay here until I return.
Since	I have known her since last year.
For	They have lived here for five years.
By	The project is due by Friday.
From	The store is open from 9 to 5.
To	They work from Monday to Friday.
Past	It’s ten minutes past three.
Around	We will arrive around noon.
Throughout	It rained throughout the day.
Within	Complete the task within an hour.
Over	We talked over lunch.
Under	The town was built under Roman rule.
About	We will meet about 6 PM.
Towards	It will be ready towards the end of the month.
Upon	Upon arriving, they went straight to the hotel.
In between	There are breaks in between classes.
Until	She will wait until the sun sets.
Up to	They will work up to midnight.
With	With the coming of spring, the flowers bloom.

Preposition of Direction Examples

The following table provides examples of prepositions of direction. These examples help illustrate how prepositions are used to indicate movement or direction.

Preposition	Example Sentence
To	We are going to the park.
From	The letter is from my friend.
Through	The train goes through the tunnel.
Across	We walked across the street.
Up	The cat climbed up the tree.
Down	The ball rolled down the hill.
Into	The frog jumped into the pond.
Towards	They walked towards the beach.
Along	We drove along the coast.
Around	The Earth rotates around the sun.
Over	The bird flew over the house.
Under	The submarine went under the water.
Past	We walked past the store.
By	The road goes by the lake.
Off	The book fell off the shelf.
Out of	The rabbit came out of the hat.
Away from	The ship sailed away from the harbor.
Toward	He ran toward the sound.
Onto	The cat jumped onto the table.
Throughout	The news spread throughout the city.
Against	The waves crashed against the shore.
In	The children ran in the house.
Out	The dog ran out the door.
To/From	We travel to school from home.
At	He aimed at the target.

Usage Rules for Prepositions

Understanding the rules for using prepositions correctly is essential for clear communication. While some prepositions may seem interchangeable, they often have specific contexts in which they are appropriate. Here are some key usage rules to keep in mind.

Correct Preposition Choice

Choosing the correct preposition depends on the specific relationship you want to express. For example, use on for surfaces (e.g., the book is on the table), in for enclosed spaces (e.g., the toy is in the box), and at for specific locations (e.g., the girl is standing at the door). Paying attention to these details ensures accuracy and clarity. The meaning of a sentence can change significantly with the wrong preposition.

Prepositions with Time

When using prepositions with time, remember that at is used for specific times (e.g., at 7 AM), on is used for days (e.g., on Saturday), and in is used for months, seasons, and years (e.g., in the summer, in 2024). These rules help specify the timing of events in a clear and consistent manner.

Prepositions with Place

When indicating place, in is used for enclosed spaces or general areas (e.g., in the garden), on is used for surfaces (e.g., on the wall), and at is used for specific addresses or locations (e.g., at the corner). Using these prepositions correctly provides precise spatial information.

Exceptions and Special Cases

There are always exceptions to the rules. For example, we say “at home” but “in the house.” These exceptions often arise from idiomatic usage and require memorization. Being aware of these special cases will improve your overall accuracy.

Common Mistakes with Prepositions

Even native English speakers sometimes make mistakes with prepositions. Here are some common errors to watch out for, along with corrected examples.

Incorrect Use of In/On/At

One common mistake is using in, on, or at incorrectly. Here are some examples of incorrect usage and the corrected sentences.

Incorrect	Correct
The picture is in the wall.	The picture is on the wall.
I will meet you on 3 PM.	I will meet you at 3 PM.
We live at London.	We live in London.

Omitting Prepositions

Sometimes, prepositions are mistakenly omitted from sentences. Here are some examples of sentences missing prepositions and the corrected versions.

Incorrect	Correct
I am going park.	I am going to the park.
She is sitting table.	She is sitting at the table.
He arrived Monday.	He arrived on Monday.

Using the Wrong Preposition After a Verb

Some verbs are commonly followed by specific prepositions. Using the wrong preposition can change the meaning of the sentence. Here are some examples.

Incorrect	Correct
I am waiting for the bus.	I am waiting for the bus.
She is looking to her keys.	She is looking for her keys.
They are listening at music.	They are listening to music.

Practice Exercises

To reinforce understanding, here are some practice exercises for kindergarteners. These exercises are designed to be fun and engaging, helping children master the use of prepositions.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blank with the correct preposition (in, on, at).

Question	Answer
The cat is sitting _______ the chair.	The cat is sitting on the chair.
The book is _______ the bag.	The book is in the bag.
We will meet _______ the park.	We will meet at the park.
The apple is _______ the table.	The apple is on the table.
The toys are _______ the box.	The toys are in the box.
I will see you _______ 5 PM.	I will see you at 5 PM.
The bird is _______ the tree.	The bird is in the tree.
The picture is _______ the wall.	The picture is on the wall.
The meeting is _______ Monday.	The meeting is on Monday.
The party is _______ July.	The party is in July.

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Preposition

Choose the correct preposition from the options provided.

Question	Options	Answer
The dog is _______ the house.	(in, on, at)	in
The keys are _______ the table.	(in, on, at)	on
We are going _______ the zoo.	(to, from, with)	to
The gift is _______ my friend.	(to, from, with)	from
The cat jumped _______ the counter.	(on, onto, in)	onto
The book fell _______ the floor.	(off, on, in)	off
The car is parked _______ the garage.	(in, on, at)	in
The store is _______ the corner.	(in, on, at)	at
The paper is _______ the desk.	(in, on, at)	on
The class starts _______ 9 AM.	(in, on, at)	at

Exercise 3: Sentence Completion

Complete the sentence using a preposition to show the relationship between objects.

Question	Answer
The ball is _______ the box.	The ball is inside the box.
The bird is flying _______ the trees.	The bird is flying above the trees.
The cat is hiding _______ the sofa.	The cat is hiding under the sofa.
The picture hangs _______ the door.	The picture hangs above the door.
The flowers are _______ the vase.	The flowers are in the vase.
The dog is sitting _______ me.	The dog is sitting beside me.
The sun is _______ the clouds.	The sun is behind the clouds.
The car is parked _______ the house.	The car is parked near the house.
The children are playing _______ the garden.	The children are playing in the garden.
The moon is _______ the Earth.	The moon is around the Earth.

Advanced Topics on Prepositions

While kindergarteners focus on basic prepositions, more advanced learners can explore complex aspects of prepositional usage.

Prepositional Phrases

A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition and its object, along with any modifiers. For example, “in the morning,” “on the table,” and “with great care” are all prepositional phrases. Understanding how these phrases function in a sentence is essential for advanced grammar.

Idiomatic Prepositions

Many prepositions are used in idiomatic expressions, where the meaning is not literal. For example, “by heart” means “memorized,” and “on the ball” means “alert and competent.” These expressions require memorization and an understanding of their specific meanings.

Prepositions vs. Adverbs

Sometimes, the same word can function as either a preposition or an adverb, depending on its role in the sentence. For example, in the sentence “The bird flew over the house,” “over” is a preposition. In the sentence “The bird flew over,” “over” is an adverb. Distinguishing between these two roles requires careful analysis of the sentence structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about prepositions, particularly in the context of teaching kindergarteners.

1. What is the best way to introduce prepositions to kindergarteners?

   The best way to introduce prepositions is through visual aids and hands-on activities. Use objects to demonstrate the meaning of prepositions like “on,” “in,” and “under.” For instance, place a toy car on a table and say, “The car is on the table.” Repeat this with different objects and prepositions.

2. How can I make learning prepositions fun for young children?

   Make learning prepositions fun by incorporating games and activities. For example, you can play “Simon Says” using prepositional phrases, such as “Simon says put your hands on your head.” You can also use picture cards and ask children to describe where objects are located in the pictures.

3. What are some common prepositions that kindergarteners should learn first?

   Start with the most common and easily understood prepositions, such as on, in, at, under, over, beside, and between. These prepositions are frequently used in everyday language and are easy to demonstrate visually.

4. How can I assess a kindergartener’s understanding of prepositions?

   Assess their understanding through simple activities. Give them instructions using prepositions, such as “Put the book under the chair,” and see if they follow the instructions correctly. You can also use worksheets with pictures and ask them to circle the correct preposition to describe the picture.

5. What should I do if a child is struggling to understand prepositions?

   If a child is struggling, go back to the basics and use more visual aids and hands-on activities. Break down the concepts into smaller, more manageable parts. Provide plenty of repetition and positive reinforcement.

6. Are there any online resources that can help teach prepositions to kindergarteners?

   Yes, there are many online resources available, including interactive games, videos, and worksheets. Websites like Starfall, ABCya, and Education.com offer free or low-cost resources that can supplement your teaching.

7. How important is it for kindergarteners to master prepositions?

   While complete mastery isn’t expected at this age, a basic understanding of prepositions is crucial for developing strong language skills. It helps children describe the world around them more accurately and understand instructions more effectively.

8. What are some advanced prepositions that might be introduced later on?

   Once children have a firm grasp of basic prepositions, you can introduce more complex ones like through, across, along, towards, and throughout. These prepositions are used in more complex sentences and help children express more nuanced relationships between objects and events.

Conclusion

Teaching prepositions to kindergarteners is a crucial step in their language development. By using visual aids, hands-on activities, and engaging exercises, you can make learning prepositions fun and effective. Remember to start with basic prepositions and gradually introduce more complex ones as their understanding grows. Regular practice and positive reinforcement will help children master these essential building blocks of the English language. With a solid foundation in prepositions, young learners will be well-equipped to express themselves clearly and understand the world around them.