Article by Ms. Haritha Kannan, Educator and storyteller @ Little Laudable Learners.

Antonyms, also known as opposites, are words that have contrasting meanings that express the opposite of each other.  Apart from scoring 5/5 in our English exams, where else do we put the learnings of opposites to good use? Believe me or not – we use it every day! Everywhere!

Learning the opposites helps to understand, describe, and compare things in a child’s world. Also to understand complex concepts. It helps with sorting and categorizing things of different sizes, shapes and make. And not to forget that opposites play a pivotal role in building a child’s vocabulary!

Be it reading, writing and oral/ sign language expressions we all use –  WORDS.

Introducing the child to opposites not only increases vocabulary but is a fun activity that encourages the child to use higher-order thinking skills thereby building the child’s intelligence.

Let’s know more!

1 Complementary antonyms

They are related words that are absolute opposites. They exist independently from one another and do not need the other term to exist. For example, “night and day” and “inhale and exhale” are complementary antonyms

○          Examples:

■          Junior * Senior

■          Right * Left

■          Push * Pull.

■          Right * Wrong.

■          Yes * No.

2 Graded (or gradable) antonyms

They are words that fall on the opposite sides of a spectrum when referring to a specific quality like:  small — big (size) near — far (distance) light — heavy (weight). Gradable antonyms are also known as partial antonyms. Unlike strict antonyms, partial antonyms indicate different degrees or levels of a particular quality.

Examples:

■          Fast * Slow

■          Thick * Thin

■          Tall * Short

■          Young * Old

■          Hot  * Cold

3 Subjectivity and Context:

○          Some antonyms may have subjective interpretations.

○          Context matters when determining opposites.

○          For instance, beauty and ugliness can be subjective.

○          However, they still represent opposite ends of a scale.

Learning about opposites is an important skill set for children and let’s see a few fun ways to include opposites in toddlers’ everyday routine.

1)        Rhymes:

Singing rhymes to your toddler is simple, easy, requires not much preparation and is very effective. Include simple words, rhythm, actions and repetitions.

Example:1

This is big big big Hold (arms out to side)

This is small small small (cup hands together)

This is short short short (hold hands with palms facing each other)

This is tall tall tall (reach one hand above head)

This is fast fast fast (circle fists quickly)

This is slow slow slow (circle fists slowly)

This is yes yes yes (nod)

This is no no no (shake head)

Example:2

Roly poly, roly poly,

Up up up.

Roly poly, roly poly,

Down down down.

Roly poly, roly poly,

In in in.

Roly poly, roly poly,

Out out out.

Roly poly, roly poly,

Fast fast fast.

Roly poly, roly poly,

Slow slow slow.

Roly poly, roly poly,

Loud loud loud.

Roly poly, roly poly,

Soft soft soft.

2)        Play games

All children love to play. Let’s see now we can include opposites in some classic games.

1. A) Simon Says Opposites

Children do the exact opposite of what Simon says. For example, when you say “Simon says sit down”, your kids will need to stand up.

1. B) Crossing the bridge Opposite Game

○          The whole class starts the game lined up across one end of the gym. Whatever the teacher calls out, the players must do the opposite. The goal is to make it to the other side of the gym without making a mistake like crossing a bridge.

1. C) Cards of Opposites

Make packs of cards with opposites on either side. Students spread the cards across the table and take turns trying to guess what is on the other side of the cards.

1. D) Find the Opposite Game:

Create a game where your child finds opposite words.

For example, show a closed door, and they find an open door. Open a book and ask them to close it after reading. While on the beach, dig a shallow pit, and ask them to dig a deep hole.

3)        Create your songs with opposite words.

Start with simple words and include tricky ones slowly.

1. ♫ In the tune of “Lu Lu skip to my lu…..”

Let’s all join and play together

Let’s all join and play together

Playing is so much fun. (*2)

Let no one be alone

Let no one be alone

Playing is so much fun. (*2)

2. ♫ Hot Potato, Hot Potato…

Hot Potato, Hot Potato…

Hot Potato, Hot Potato,…

Potato

Potato, Potato, Potato

Cold Spegetti, Cold Spegetti…

Cold Spegetti, Cold Spegetti….

Cold Spegetti, Cold Spegetti…

Spegetti…

Spegetti, Spegetti, Spegetti

3. ♫ Open shut them, open shut them. [Open and shut your hands.]

Give a little clap, clap, clap. [Clap.]

Open shut them, open shut them.

Put them in your lap, lap, lap. [Pat your legs.]

Please. No, thank you.

Please. No, thank you. Please. No, thank you.

[Clasp your hands under your chin as if asking for something, then shake your head and wave your hand in front of your face as if saying, “No, thank you.”]

Please, please, please, please. No, thank you.

Please. No, thank you. Please. No, thank you.

Please, please, please, please. No, thank you.

Loud and quiet.

Loud and quiet. Loud and quiet. [Cup your hands around your mouth and shout, and then put your finger in front of your mouth like you are saying, “Shh.”]

Loud, loud, loud, loud. Shh… Quiet.

Loud and quiet. Loud and quiet.

Loud, loud, loud, loud. Shh… Quiet.

Peek-a-boo.

Peek-a-boo. Peek-a-boo. [Place your hands in front of your face and then quickly move them away as you say, “Boo!”]

Peek-a, peek-a, peek-a-boo!

Peek-a-boo. Peek-a-boo.

Peek-a, peek-a, peek-a-boo!

4)        Read stories

1 ) Opposites

Written by Eleanor Sangma and Illustrated by Leirik Oinam

Let’s take a fun trip to the Garo Hills through this book of opposites!

2 ) The Other Way

Written by Radha Rangarajan & Illustrated by Garima Gupta

You don’t have to go too far to discover nature’s wonderful secrets—they are all there in your neighbourhood park. Learn about opposites in nature.

3) All about opposites!

Written by Menaka Raman.

One of the best books for teaching opposites to toddlers.

4 ) Absent-minded Ajja

Written by Arundhati Venkatesh

Grandpa Rabbit Ajja is getting ready for his evening walk. But he does not always remember everything he needs. Luckily, Sujju is there to help him out. A book that explores the concept of opposites through a hilarious story.

5) Gappu Can’t Dance

Written by Menaka Raman

Everyone in Class 1A knows Gappu can’t dance. When the students raise their left hand, she raises her right! Can Komal Ma’am get Gappu to dance? A story about the joy of dancing, using the concept of opposites.

6) Something different

written by Dipti Shrivastav.

Learn opposites using captivating illustrations and simple language.

 

5)        Include opposites during your household chores

Laundry Day Opposites:

When folding laundry, discuss opposites like folded vs. unfolded, inside out vs. right side out, and light colours vs. dark colours.

Mealtime Antonyms:

During meal preparation or cleanup, talk about opposites like hot vs. cold, full vs. empty, and wet vs. dry.

For example, “Let’s warm up the soup—it’s too cold!” or “The cup is empty; time to refill it.”

Tidy-Up Time:

When organizing toys or books, use opposites like big vs. small, up vs. down, and in vs. out.

Encourage your child to put the big blocks in the box and the small ones on the shelf.

Opposite Directions:

During outdoor chores like gardening or sweeping, discuss directions.

For instance, “Sweep the leaves from under the tree to outside the yard.”

Cleaning Up Messes:

When wiping spills or cleaning surfaces, talk about dirty vs. clean, messy vs. neat, and stained vs. spotless.

“Let’s make this table spotless after breakfast!”

Bedtime Routine:

Use opposites during bedtime routines.

“Put your pyjamas on” and “Take your socks  off.”

 

And Finally, here is the bonus “My Big List of 100 Opposites”.

1. sleep * awake
2. kind * cruel
3. refuse * accept
4. climb * descend
5. famous * common
6. send * receive
7. dawn * dusk
8. encourage * discourage
9. complete * incomplete
10. dry * wet
11. expand * contract
12. village * City
13. afraid * brave
14. visible * invisible
15. advantage * disadvantage
16. happy * sad
17. hard * soft
18. south * north
19. here * there
20. near * far
21. positive * negative
22. black * white
23. Enter * Exit
24. vertical * horizontal
25. high * low
26. smooth * rough
27. inside * outside
28. now * then
29. countable * uncountable
30. weak * strong
31. known * unknown
32. ugly * beautiful
33. solid * liquid
34. funny * serious
35. love * hate
36. exciting * boring
37. above * below
38. proper * improper
39. yell * whisper
40. foolish * wise
41. lock * unlock
42. smile * frown
43. top * Bottom
44. Open * close
45. clear * unclear
46. spring * autumn
47. heaven * hell
48. add * subtract
49. most * least
50. Same * different
51. finish * start
52. correct * incorrect
53. east * west
54. minor * major
55. teach * learn
56. ancient * Modern
57. laugh * cry
58. direct * indirect
59. fresh * stale
60. dependent * independent
61. tall * short
62. normal * abnormal
63. curly * Straight
64. big * small
65. easy * difficult
66. Bitter * sweet
67. clean * dirty
68. careful * careless
69. large * small
70. sunny * cloudy
71. increase * decrease
72. Long * short
73. Comfortable * uncomfortable
74. before * after
75. enemy * friend
76. useful * useless
77. remember * forget
78. dim * bright
79. victory * defeat
80. Sharp * blunt
81. success * failure
82. sink * float
83. polite * impolite
84. profit * loss
85. arrive * depart
86. true * false
87. early * late
88. brave * coward
89. Tangible * intangible
90. Tricky * simple
91. Deep * shallow
92. Up * down
93. Come * go
94. More * less
95. Healthy * sick
96. Tight * loose
97. Together * alone
98. Alive * dead
99. Question * answer
100. One * off

In conclusion, understanding opposites is not merely about acing exams; it’s a fundamental aspect of language and cognitive development. From enhancing vocabulary to fostering critical thinking skills, the knowledge of antonyms opens up a world of possibilities for children.

By incorporating fun activities, games, rhymes, and stories into everyday routines, parents and educators can make learning opposites an engaging and enriching experience for young minds. Whether it’s through laundry day activities or bedtime routines, the exploration of opposites is woven seamlessly into various aspects of a child’s daily life, paving the way for holistic development. So let’s embrace the power of opposites and watch as children’s understanding and appreciation of language and the world around them blossom.