Your Turn to Find the Birds

1. 1

   Choose a familiar place at home, such as the couch. Before the game, hide a favorite toy animal on top of it or underneath it, out of your child’s sight.

2. 2

   Tell your child that the animal cannot find its home and needs to be found and returned to the toy bin.

3. 3

   Offer a clue using the object name and a position word, plus a simple pointing gesture: “One animal is on the couch.” Let your child climb up or bend down to search and learn the word through action.

4. 4

   If your child searches in the wrong direction, look together for a moment before clarifying: “You’re looking under the couch. The animal is on top.” Invite them to try the other place.

5. 5

   If your child enjoys the game, hide animals in new places, such as on the bed or under the table, so the same words appear in different settings.

What to notice

• Searches in the matching direction after hearing “on top” or “under.” Vocabulary
• Climbs or bends down to explore space Gross Motor

Tips

• Keep clues focused on the object and the position word—such as “couch + on/under”—instead of adding color or animal details that may distract from the target word.
• Work the game into everyday pretend play. Hide a character on the couch and ask, “We’re missing someone. Could they be on the couch?”

Developmental benefits

• Language: Connecting position words with the result of each search helps your child gradually understand what those words mean.
• Movement: Reaching up, bending down, and moving around familiar furniture gives your child practice using large muscles to explore their surroundings.