Learning how to point out objects is a big step in a child’s language journey. When toddlers want a cookie, they simply point and say “that.” But as they grow, their sentences get longer and the grammar rules get a little bit trickier. When there is more than one cookie, the words have to change.
Two of the most common words that trip up early learners are the pointing words used for groups of items. Teaching children how to pick the right word depends entirely on one simple concept: distance. Let us look at how to easily explain distance and grammar to young learners so they can point to the world around them with total confidence.
The Basics: A Clear These Meaning Example
When we talk about more than one object, we use plural words. If the group of objects is sitting right next to you, you need a word that shows closeness. The word “these” is used exclusively for plural items that are very close to the speaker. You can think of them as items you can easily touch without walking across the room.
To make this clear, here is a practical these meaning example. Ask your child to hold three apples in their arms. Because the apples are right there in their hands, they should say, “I am holding these apples.” The word acts like a tiny verbal hug, showing that the objects are right here in our personal space.
Read More – Engaging English Grammar Rules for Kids
Looking Across the Room: The Those Meaning
Now, take those same three apples and place them on a table on the other side of the room. Your child can no longer touch them without getting up and walking over.
This is exactly where the those meaning come into play. We use “those” for plural objects that are far away from the person speaking. It is the perfect word for pointing at things across the kitchen, across the street, or even up in the sky. If your child points at the apples on the far table, they should say, “I want to eat those apples.” The word acts like a long pointer stick, helping the listener look away from the speaker and toward the distant objects.
Breaking Down the These and Those Difference
To make the rule stick in a child’s memory, you need to show them the exact contrast. The main these and those difference is purely about physical space.
If you are trying to explain the difference these and those have in a sentence, try creating a fun physical boundary. You can lay a jumping rope on the floor. Have your child stand on one side of the rope with a pile of toy blocks. Put another pile of blocks on the other side of the rope.
- The blocks on their side are “these blocks” (near).
- The blocks on the other side are “those blocks” (far).
By physically separating the toys, the difference between those and these changes from a confusing grammar rule into a fun, visual game of space.
Read More – Guide to Teaching English Grammar for Kids
Fun Games to Practice the Pointing Words
Kids do not learn grammar just by listening to rules; they learn by speaking and doing. Here are two simple games you can play at home to practice the newly learned words:
1. The Grocery Store Game
Next time you are pushing the shopping cart, turn the trip into a language game. When you put three oranges directly into the cart, say, “Look at these oranges.” Then, point to the bananas sitting high up on a shelf far away and ask your child, “Can you see those bananas?”
2. The Window Watcher
Stand by the living room window together. Point to the pillows right next to you on the couch and say, “I like sitting with these pillows.” Then, point out the window at the birds flying high in the sky and ask your child to describe them. They will naturally practice pointing far away and saying, “Those birds are flying fast!”
Read More – Fun English Grammar Games for Kids
Conclusion
To wrap up our grammar lesson, figuring out the correct pointing words all comes down to understanding distance. We use “these” for groups of items we can easily touch, and we use “those” for groups of items that are far away. By playing simple matching games with a jump rope or pointing at items in the grocery store, kids quickly learn how to map out the space around them using the right vocabulary.
Watching a child finally master these pointing words brings up a very interesting thought. Grammar is not just a strict set of rules printed in a schoolbook. It is a tool that helps us connect with our environment. When a child learns to separate the things they are holding from the things sitting across the room, they are doing much more than passing a language test. They are actively learning how to organize their world, communicate their desires clearly, and share exactly what they see with the people they love.
To read more fun and educational articles, check out the EuroKids Blog, and visit our website for details on EuroKids Preschool Admission.
FAQs
What is the singular version of these words?
If there is only one item close to you, you use “this.” If there is only one item far away from you, you use “that.”
Can we use these words for people too?
Yes, absolutely! You can say, “These kids are my friends,” if they are standing next to you, or “Those kids are playing tag,” if they are running across the playground.
At what age do kids usually understand this rule?
Most children start grasping the difference between near and far objects around age three or four, but mastering the exact grammar words usually takes lots of practice until they are five or six years old.
How do I correct my child if they use the wrong word?
Do not interrupt them or say they are wrong. Just gently repeat the sentence back to them with the correct word, like an echo, so they can hear the proper way to say it naturally.
