In & Out House
In & Out House
Today a little house, door, box, and ball introduce inside and outside. The picture then turns those ideas into put in, take out, and go through.
Today's Approach
Amara is about 2 years and 4 months old. Keep each guided activity to 3–8 minutes. Looking, pointing, moving one finger, acting, or saying one word all count as meaningful responses. Let her experience spatial relationships through concrete pictures and everyday actions; do not test reading or ask for an abstract definition.
A4 Teaching Picture
Open the original image to download or print
How to use it
Use only this A4 picture, printed or displayed full-screen. Begin with IN, OUT, and DOOR along the top. Copy PUT IN, TAKE OUT, and GO THROUGH in the middle. Finish by counting the one box, two balls, and three footprints along the bottom. Amara does not need to read any labels.
Goals
- Chinese: understand 里面, 外面, 门, 放进去, 拿出来, and 穿过去.
- English: meet
in,out,door,put in,take out, andgo throughthrough pictures and actions. - Thinking: notice the ball's relationship to the box and how an action changes its position.
- Early math: count the one box, two balls, and three footprints pictured at the bottom.
- Movement and life skills: move a finger in and out, walk safely through a real doorway with an adult, and complete one putting-away step.
Materials
- Only the A4 teaching picture above, printed or displayed full-screen.
- A clear place to stand and an open doorway used during the normal routine.
No toy box, ball, flashcards, or other teaching objects are needed.
1. Chinese Picture Talk
Time: 5–8 minutes.
Begin with the three top cards and describe before asking:
- “球在盒子里面。”
- “球在盒子外面。”
- “小屋的门打开了。”
- “里面和外面不一样，门把两边连起来。”
Choose only one or two prompts:
- “哪一个球在里面？”
- “外面的球在哪里？”
- “门在哪里？”
- “你想让手指去里面，还是外面？”
When Amara points, expand her response: “对，球在盒子里面。” If she points elsewhere, model without correction pressure: “这个球在外面，我们再看看。”
Today's Original Mini Story
A blue ball lives inside a box.
It wants to see outside, so out it comes.
A child puts it in and gently takes it out again.
Ahead is an open door, and the child walks through.
Looking back, the child has found both inside and outside.
Move one finger across the matching picture while telling the story. Looking, pointing, or taking over the finger journey is enough; no retelling is required.
2. English Time
Time: 3–5 minutes, focused on listening, pointing, and moving.
Words
| English | Meaning | Picture action |
|---|---|---|
| in | 里面 | Point to the ball inside the box |
| out | 外面 | Point to the ball outside the box |
| door | 门 | Point to the open door |
| put in | 放进去 | Move a finger towards the inside |
| take out | 拿出来 | Move a finger from inside to outside |
| go through | 穿过去 | Move a finger through the doorway |
Model:
The ball is in.The ball is out.Show me the door.Put it in.Take it out.Go through the door.
Say only one line, then wait. A look, point, or finger movement is a successful response; translation and complete repetition are not required.
3. Early Math: Count Along the Bottom
Time: 3–5 minutes.
The poster's bottom row has three clear counting cards:
- Touch the one box and say “一，一个盒子” or
one box. - Touch the two balls one at a time and say
one, two. - Touch the three footprints one at a time and say
one, two, three.
Use one number word for each finger touch. Then let the finger “walk” along the three footprints towards an imaginary doorway.
The aim is one object, one touch, and one number word. Do not test numeral recognition, memorised quantities, or addition.
4. Movement: In, Out, and Through
Time: 3–8 minutes.
Practise on the picture first, then choose one body action:
- Curve both hands into a little “house” and move one finger inside.
- Move the finger outside.
- Open both arms like a doorway while the adult or child walks slowly through.
- During a normal transition through an open door, say “穿过去，
go through.”
Doorway Safety
An adult must secure the door or keep it fully open. Do not let Amara play near hinges or locks, repeatedly push the door, or run through the doorway. Check first for steps, traffic, or another hazard on the far side.
5. Everyday Observation
Connect the words to one or two real moments:
- “脚在鞋子里面。”
- “鞋子现在在柜子外面。”
- “我们从门里穿过去。”
- “纸巾从盒子里拿出来了。”
This is natural language during real life, not a reason to arrange extra materials or repeatedly quiz “Where is it?”
6. Life Skill: Put It In and Away
Time: 3–5 minutes.
Invite one real step after the activity:
- Put the A4 teaching picture inside its folder.
- Or, during normal tidying, put one item of clothing in its usual place.
- Say together: “放进去了。
Put it in.” - When it is genuinely needed again, say: “拿出来。
Take it out.”
Offer only the help needed. Do not empty and refill a container repeatedly just to practise.
Bedtime Recall
Keep it conversational:
- “今天哪个球在盒子里面？”
- “我们从哪里穿过去了？”
In or out?- “明天还想让手指走哪条路？”