Opposites are a fun concept to teach with toddlers and preschoolers. Kids start by learning how to find the opposite of soft and hard, black and white, and heavy and light. There are fun activities you can use when you’re teaching opposites plus there are some amazing opposites worksheets.
When to Teach Opposites
You can start teaching young children the opposite concept by using opposite words. There are fun opposites activities you can do with toddlers to help them understand the idea. However, typically kids will understand the concept by the time they’re four.
The opposite concept can be hard for toddlers to understand, so the best way to start is by reading a book about opposites to start the discussion. Then go around the house to find the opposites of different things.
For instance, find something short and then look for something tall. Talk about the difference between dark and light, up and down, in and out, happy and sad.
Apply the lessons to real life and eventually, your little one will start to understand what opposites are. Don’t worry if your toddler doesn’t understand the concept right away. Keep working at matching opposite pairs and eventually, they will understand.
Opposite Concept
Keep working with the opposite concept with your children though. Opposite is important for kids to understand because it teaches kids how to compare and describe the world around them. It will help to develop their English skills and also develop their vocabulary.
In addition, teaching kids the concept of opposites also teaches kids higher-order thinking skills. Kids have to think about what might be the opposite of down, back, or to. They have to play with the concept, make connections, and move from concrete to abstract ideas.
Teaching your children about opposites is an important concept no matter if your child is a preschooler or in the 3rd grade. If you want to teach your little ones about opposites you will want to check out these fun printables and activities.
Opposites for Preschoolers Worksheets
As kids get older, it’s fun to do some opposites practice with printable worksheets. The worksheets give kids a chance to match opposite adjectives and opposite verbs. Kids get to learn how to match the correct words. It’s a useful skill as kids grow.
Opposites Worksheets
Huge List of Opposites Worksheets – You’ll find a lovely collection of opposite worksheets for you to use with your children. The first group includes easier worksheets for young kids. The next grouping includes different words to challenge older kids. There are also some fun ideas for opposite activities you can do with your kids.
Printable Opposites Worksheets
Opposite Word Printable Worksheets – Here’s three different pages of printable English worksheets on the concept of opposites. These are perfect for preschoolers and kindergarteners.
Opposites for Preschoolers Worksheets
Opposite Printables – You’ll find a couple of free worksheets for you to use with your kids. These are simple worksheets and great for young kids just learning about the concept of opposites.
Printables for Teaching Opposites
These printables for teaching opposites include free worksheets for different opposite activities. You’ll find flashcards, mix and match printables, little books, and more. These printable activities are a fun way to teach preschool and elementary students the opposite concept.
Opposite Worksheet Preschool Puzzles
Free Printable Opposites Puzzles for Preschoolers – You’ll find a wonderful selection of opposite puzzles here. Kids will love solving the puzzles. For instance, they’ll match a happy face with a sad face as they connect opposite pairs.
Owl Opposites Mix and Match Printables – These are fun printables for your young children. Kids match each piece with its opposite.
Opposite Flash Cards
Owl Opposites Flash Cards – These owl opposite flashcards are super cute and a great way to teach your child how to understand the concept of opposites.
Printable Opposite Cards – You’ll find wonderful printable opposite cards for your preschooler. These are perfect for playing the memory game.
Opposites for Preschoolers
Opposites Puzzles for Preschool – These hands-on puzzles are fun for preschoolers to solve. They’ll match different words such as clean/dirty, fast/slow, and day/night. These are great words for kids to start working with opposites.
My Little Book of Opposites – This is a fun cut and paste activity book for you to print out for your children. It will help them understand opposite meanings while they complete the activities.
Rainbow Opposites Matching Puzzle – This is a rainbow opposites puzzle for kids to practice matching opposites. Since the printable page is black and white you can encourage your kids to color the puzzle as they match the pieces.
Opposites Games for Preschoolers
Opposites Board Game – Your preschoolers will love playing this opposites board game. Print the game, grab some dice, and move the pieces around the game board.
The Opposite Game – Play the Opposite Game with your young kids. You can play memory with these pieces and Go Fish with these cards. Teaching opposites can be fun for all involved!
Opposites Activities for Preschoolers
Are you looking for some fun activities to enjoy with your kids? You’ll find a lovely collection of activities from playing ‘true and false’, following an opposite foot trail, and celebrating Opposite Day.
10 Fun Ways to Use Opposite Flashcards – You’ll find an opposite printable activity pack to download. In addition, you’re given 10 different activities that you can do with your kids as you work on learning about opposites. You can name opposites, match opposites, play “true or false”, solve multiple-choice, and so on. The best part is that you’re given the instructions you need in order to complete the various activities.
Create an Opposite Foot Trail – Make your kids an opposite foot trail to follow. It’s a great way to teach the opposite concept and doesn’t require a large time investment. Plus you can use the foot trail with both readers and pre-readers.
Fun Ways to Celebrate Opposite Day – Have you ever heard of Opposite Day? The official day is January 25th, but you can celebrate at other times if you want. It’s a fun day to enjoy some opposites activities such as wearing your clothing backward, completing an opposite scavenger hunt, singing the alphabet backward, and more!
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Sara Dennis is a veteran homeschool mom of six who’s still homeschooling her two youngest kids after the older four have graduated, entered college, and moved on to adult life. She blogs at Classically Homeschooling.
