Understand the idea.
Give a reference
A position tells us where something is compared with something else. Name both things: the bird is above the tree. Without the tree as a reference, above would not tell the listener enough.
Use the park picture to compare places. The bird is higher than the tree, so it is above the tree. The rock is lower than the tree, so it is below the tree.
Choose a clear description
Beside means next to. Between describes a position with one named thing on each side. In the picture, the tree is between the bench and the pond. Name both sides to make between clear.
One position can have more than one useful description. The pond is beside the tree, and the tree is beside the pond. Choose the words that help your listener find the place you mean.
See the method in action.
Look above
Where is the bird compared with the tree?
Worked solution
- 1
Find the reference object.
The question compares the bird with the tree, so start by finding the tree.
- 2
Look for the bird.
The bird is higher on the page than the tree.
- 3
Describe the position using both names.
The bird is above the tree.
Above the tree.
In a row
Three toys are in a row: car, bear, doll. Which toy is between the other two?
Worked solution
- 1
Read the row in order.
The order is car, bear, doll.
- 2
Find the toy with one toy on each side.
The bear has the car on one side and the doll on the other.
- 3
Name the middle toy.
The bear is between the other two toys.
The bear.
Try it yourself.
Check your understanding
A ball is under a chair. Is the chair above or below the ball?
Show answer & reasoning
Above the ball.
The chair is above the ball. Reversing the objects reverses the position word: the ball is below the chair, so the chair is above it.
Keep practising
6 worksheet questions
Read the questions online
- Use the park picture. What is below the tree?
- In the park picture, what is between the bench and pond?
- A book is on a table. A bag is under the table. Which object is below the table?
- The cups are in this row: red, blue, green. Which cup is between the others?
- Lee says the toy is beside. What extra information would make the description clearer?
- Draw a box. Put a star above it and a circle below it.
Read the worked solutions
- Use the park picture. What is below the tree?
Find the item lower down from the tree.
The rock. - In the park picture, what is between the bench and pond?
It has the bench on one side and pond on the other.
The tree. - A book is on a table. A bag is under the table. Which object is below the table?
Under means below.
The bag. - The cups are in this row: red, blue, green. Which cup is between the others?
It is in the middle of the row.
Blue. - Lee says the toy is beside. What extra information would make the description clearer?
A position needs a reference object.
Say what the toy is beside. - Draw a box. Put a star above it and a circle below it.
Check both positions relative to the box.
Answers vary: star higher than the box and circle lower than the box.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum 2026
Year 1 relative position and clear instructions for moving people and objects in familiar spaces.
Official curriculum source ↗