High & Low
High & Low
Today we notice a cloud, bird, and ball, then compare pictures that are high in the sky or low near the ground while keeping both feet safely on the floor.
Today's Approach
Amara is about 2 years and 3 months old. Keep each guided activity to 3–8 minutes. Looking, pointing, moving one hand, shifting the eyes, or saying one word all count as meaningful responses. High and low describe position in these pictures; they are not instructions to reach or climb. Do not test reading or require a complete sentence.
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. First find the cloud, bird, and ball. Then point to the high kite, low ball, and the adult and child pointing from flat ground. Count only the bottom row: one tree, two balls, and three flowers. Reading the labels is not required.
Goals
- Chinese: understand 云, 小鸟, 球 and 高高, 低低, 指一指.
- English: meet
cloud,bird,ball,high,low, andpoint. - Spatial thinking: notice vertical position in a picture without introducing climbing or reaching.
- Early math: count one tree, two balls, and three flowers.
- Movement: point up and down while standing or sitting steadily.
- Life skills: ask an adult for help with anything out of reach.
Materials
- Only the A4 teaching picture above, printed or displayed full-screen.
- A clear, dry place for small pointing movements.
No stool, chair, ladder, shelf, kite, ball, or other teaching object is needed.
1. Chinese Picture Talk
Time: 5–8 minutes.
Describe one card at a time:
- “云在高高的天空里。”
- “小鸟飞在空中。”
- “球安稳地放在低低的地面上。”
- “风筝在图里比较高，球在图里比较低。”
- “大人和小朋友都站在平地上指一指。”
Choose only one or two prompts:
- “云在哪里？”
- “哪个在低低的地面上？”
- “你想指高高，还是低低？”
If Amara points in another direction, describe it without correction: “你的手指向上面了。” Then model one picture once.
2. English Time
Time: 3–5 minutes.
| English | Meaning | Picture response |
|---|---|---|
cloud | 云 | Point to the cloud |
bird | 小鸟 | Point to the flying bird |
ball | 球 | Point to the ball on the ground |
high | 高高 | Point to the kite in the sky |
low | 低低 | Point to the ball on the grass |
point | 指一指 | Copy one small pointing action |
Model:
A cloud.A bird.A ball.The kite is high.The ball is low.Point from here.
Say one line and wait. A look, point, gesture, or partial word is enough; translation and full repetition are not required.
3. Early Math: One Tree, Two Balls, Three Flowers
Time: 3–5 minutes.
Use only the bottom row:
- Under 1, touch the one tree once:
one tree. - Under 2, touch the two balls one at a time:
one, two. - Under 3, touch the three flowers one at a time:
one, two, three.
Count each whole picture once. Do not count leaves, ball colour sections, flower petals, or printed numerals.
4. Movement: Point from Safe Ground
Time: 3–5 minutes.
Move away from the screen:
- Keep both feet steady or remain seated.
- Lift one relaxed hand comfortably for
high. - Lower the hand towards the floor for
low. - Return the hand to the body on
stop.
The hand does not need to reach overhead or touch the floor. Small movements are enough.
No-Climbing Safety
Never climb onto a chair, table, sofa, shelf, windowsill, or other raised surface for this lesson. Do not jump, stretch for a high object, throw a ball upward, or ask Amara to retrieve anything out of reach. An adult handles high objects. Looking and pointing from stable ground are enough.
5. Everyday Connection
Notice one position from a safe place:
- “云在高高的天空里。”
- “鞋子在低低的地面上。”
The light is high. We only look.
Describe what is already visible. Do not move furniture or create a reaching task.
Bedtime Recall
- “今天什么在高高的天空里？”
- “哪个球在低低的地面上？”
High or low?- “拿不到高处的东西时请谁帮忙？”
Answer together: “请大人帮忙。”