- Definition
Relative location describes where something is by comparing it to other things around it, like saying your house is "next to the park.
Saying the ball is under the chair uses the chair as a reference point to describe the ball's relative location.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Relative location is like describing where your toy is by saying it's next to the pillow or under the blanket.
Ask your child: What is next to your book on the table?
Common mix-up: Kids might just say 'the cup is on the table.' The important part of relative location is using comparison words to say *where* on the table, like 'next to the plate'.
Examples
- Describing a classmate as 'the person sitting beside you'.
- In a drawing, saying the sun is above the house.
- Giving directions like 'turn left at the big tree'.
relative location 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 ↗
