Where Is Teddy

Supports this milestone

• explores the positions of objects in space. — Head Start ELOF

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Materials

• One stuffed animal or small toy per child
• A box, chair, or basket to position the toy around

Steps

• Name a position and ask the child to place the toy there, such as "on top of the box."
• Try positions like under, behind, in front of, and next to the box.
• Let a child be the leader and call out the next position.
• Switch to body directions, such as "stand up" and "take one step forward."
• Ask each child: where is your teddy now? and listen for position words.
• Finish with a short "move to the front of the line" transition.

Variations

• Hide the toy and give position clues until children find it.
• Play a follow-the-leader movement game using forward, back, up, and down.

Differentiation

• For younger children, model each position before they try it.
• For older children, give two-step directions, such as "behind the box and then under the chair."

Accessibility

• Pair each position word with a gesture for children who benefit from modeling.
• Use wheelchair-friendly directions like forward and back instead of stand and sit.

Safety

• Clear the floor of tripping hazards before movement directions.

Practices these skills

• Follows Positional Directions

Evidence

• Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) — U.S. Office of Head Start · 2015 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services