How to Use Prepositions Photographic Flashcards at Home

By The Autism Community Store | Published: 2026-11-03

Category: How-to Guides

A step-by-step routine for teaching positional words with photo flashcards, from choosing a starting set to mixing cards for review.

Quick answer

Start with one preposition at a time, model it with a real object, then use the photo cards to practice the same word before mixing in a second concept. Keep sessions short and end on a success.

Why photo cards work for positional words

Prepositions are abstract until a child sees them in a concrete scene. Photographic cards show a real object in a real position, so the child can match the spoken word to a clear visual rather than a drawing that may be ambiguous. That makes them useful for language cards for autism and for any child who benefits from realistic images.

The trade-off is that a photo alone does not teach the word. You still need to say the preposition, point to the spatial relationship, and give the child a chance to use the word themselves. Treat the cards as a practice tool, not a standalone curriculum.

Set up before you start

Choose a quiet spot with few distractions and have a small real object ready, such as a cup and a block. Sit facing the child so they can see your mouth and the card at the same time. Keep the first session to a handful of cards and stop while the child is still engaged.

If the child is not yet using spoken words, you can still practice by having them point to the correct card or place the object in the named position. Receptive understanding comes before expressive use for many children.

A step-by-step home routine

Pick one preposition and model it: Choose a single word, such as next to, and place a real object in that position while saying the word clearly. Do this two or three times before showing any card. If the child looks away or seems confused, simplify the scene by removing other objects.
Show the matching photo card: Present one card from that preposition group and say the word again as you point to the spatial relationship in the photo. Pause to let the child look. Avoid asking a question on the first exposure; this step is about connecting the word to the image.
Ask for a response: Hold up two cards from different prepositions and ask the child to point to the one that matches the word you say. If they are speaking, ask them to name the preposition on a single card. If the child guesses, go back to modeling with the real object before trying again.
Practice with a mix of cards: Once the child responds correctly to one preposition several times, add a second preposition group and shuffle the cards so they must listen to the word rather than rely on card order. Keep the mix to two or three prepositions until the child is consistently accurate.
Review in short, frequent sessions: Run a five-minute session two or three times a week, always ending with a card the child knows well. Note which prepositions are solid and which need more modeling. If the child loses interest, stop and try again another day rather than pushing through.

Product facts

Prepositions Photographic Flashcards: The set includes 22 photographic cards, with 8 next to, 4 on top, 2 inside, 2 between and 2 behind cards, plus instructions in the box. The uneven counts mean you can spend more time on next to, which is often the first positional word children learn, while still having enough cards to introduce the other concepts.
Prepositions Photographic Flashcards