O is for Opposites: Themed Activities

Not simply hot and cold but I went so far as fire and ice to represent opposites for today's post. I could also have selected day vs night or light vs dark or a host of other opposing terms. It is useful to understand what something is by knowing what it is not. Once you are clear on what love looks like, hate is very easily identified as being something different and the  differences help you to define both of the terms. Peace is not war and an ally is not an enemy and truth is not a lie. To expand on that, as these terms are more social, in the concrete world around us a solid is clearly not a liquid, west is not east, up is not down and inside is not outside.

Interestingly, as I began to consider opposites, my first thoughts were for preschoolers as these terms help them learn. However, I found myself quickly looking for shades of grey. For example, how do you define rich vs poor? What is truth wealth or poverty? Or consider large vs small or difficult vs easy. Some definitions are a matter of opinion and you may argue that a bus is large when compared to a person, but it is small when compared to a passenger airplane and a test may be difficult for student A but easy for student B.  However, the principle remains the same that if I describe the test as difficult, then you automatically understand it was not easy for me to complete it. However, the nuances can lead to challenges for some of the terms.  But that was my rabbit trail of thought.

How are children helped by learning antonyms (opposites)? In addition to helping with comprehension and vocabulary building, they help to define words and concepts which helps them know the opposite. This helps with following instructions. If my teacher says to sit, I know not to stand. If they say I am too loud, I know they want me to be quiet and if they ask me to come early for a trip, I know I better not be late! While I may not yet know exactly how quiet or early I should be, I know for sure that I should not do the opposite of that or else I am not following instructions. Sometimes, the consequences are minor and sometimes they are major. For example, missing the trip! If you press the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal and go when you meant to stop, you could cause an accident. That would be serious.

Here are ten activities based on the theme of opposites.

1.An obvious activity is to have picture cards to opposing terms and match an item to its opposite or to match the item to its opposite by drawing lines between two columns of the words or pictures.

2.Play a game like Taboo where you cannot use certain terms to describe the word on the card you chose. Use one of the techniques to help people recognize the right word by stating its opposite.

3. Sing Roly Poly as each action is followed by its opposite (up/down, left/right, in/out)

4. Practice a term like in/out as you put shapes in a shape sorter then take them all back out to start again Put laundry in the washer then take it out and put it in the dryer. Put cookies in the oven. Take them out and then put them in your mouth! Do you see how important these terms can be?

5. Play a game like Simon Says but challenge the child to do the OPPOSITE of you. If your hands go in, theirs go out. If your leg goes up, theirs go down. If you smile or laugh, they frown or cry. etc.

6. Read or create social stories to help children learn the difference between right and wrong.

7. Try geocaching for an adventure!  It uses gps coordinates to help you locate a 'treasure'. If they go north instead of south or west instead of east, they went the opposite way and will not find the hidden object.

8. Jump up and down on a trampoline!

9. Create an obstacle course to practice over and under or around and through

10.Change up a favourite song by singing or playing it fast and then slow, high and then low.

If you have any other great ideas, for opposites, be sure to share. There are many books and songs that will support you as well, as you teach the child(ren) in your life about opposites!