- Definition
The foreground is the part of a picture or scene that appears closest to you, like the things right in front.
In a picture of a cat sitting on a windowsill looking outside, the cat and the windowsill are in the foreground.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: The foreground is like the people or things standing closest to the camera in a family photo.
Ask your child: What part of this picture seems closest to you?
Common mix-up: Kids may think the most important object is always in the foreground. The foreground is simply what appears closest to the viewer, which helps make the picture feel deep.
Examples
- The flowers and grass at the bottom of a landscape painting are in the foreground.
- In a drawing of a room, the chair closest to the viewer is in the foreground.
foreground is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
