Understanding basic concepts is an important part of language development. It supports a child’s ability to process information, organise their thoughts and solve problems; and understanding basic concepts is key to following instructions in an education setting. One of the top things you can do to help your child prepare for classroom-based learning is practise basic concepts.
The list below includes basic concepts that children should understand by the time they enter primary school. (Concepts are loosely listed in developmental order.)
| Big / Little | Top / Bottom | In Order |
| Hot / Cold | Down / Up | Pair |
| Wet / Dry | Heavy / Light | As Many As |
| In / On | Over / Under | Equal |
| Happy / Sad | Wrong / Right | Old / Young |
| Dirty / Clean | Before / After | Thick / Thin |
| Soft / Hard | Above / Below | Forward / Backward |
| Full / Empty | Difficult / Easy | Colours |
| Fast / Slow | Old / New | High / Low |
| Quiet / Noisy | Always / Never | Early / Late |
| Long / Short | Finish / Start | Near / Far |
| Behind / In Front / Next To | All / None | Rough / Smooth |
| Same / Different | Together / Apart | Whole / Half |
| Tall / Short | Light / Dark | Deep / Shallow |
| Outside / Inside | Front / Back | Corner / Centre |
| Large / Small | More / Less | Toward / Away |
| First / last | Wide / Narrow | Sharp / Dull |
| Open / Close | Many / Few | End / Middle |
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