Animal Sports Day
Animal Sports Day
Today's lesson continues yesterday's look, point, say, count, and choose routine. A cat, dog, and rabbit introduce animal names, action words, and one-to-one counting from 1 to 3 before language becomes movement.
Today's Approach
Amara is about 2 years and 4 months old. Keep each guided activity to 3–8 minutes. Pointing, moving, making a sound, or saying one word all count as meaningful responses. There are no winners or comparisons between children; stop whenever she loses interest.
A4 Teaching Picture
Open the original image to download or print
How to use it
Print in colour on portrait A4 paper with “Fit to page” selected. If a printer is unavailable, show it full-screen on a tablet or computer. Guide Amara through find an animal, say an action, count one at a time, and copy the movement. She does not need to read the printed words.
Goals
- Chinese: understand 猫, 狗, 兔子 and 走, 跑, 跳, then respond to simple prompts with a point, movement, or short word.
- English: meet
cat,dog,rabbit,walk,run, andjumpthrough the picture and actions. - Early math: touch and count one to three animals, matching one action to one number word.
- Movement: copy walking, running, squatting, and an emerging jump while practising start and stop.
- Life skills: take off shoes, wash hands, drink water, and put the teaching picture away after movement.
Materials
- The A4 teaching picture above, printed or displayed full-screen.
- Optional tape or magnets to place the picture on a wall.
- A clear, non-slip movement space without sharp corners or clutter.
1. Morning Chinese Picture Talk
Time: 5–8 minutes.
Let Amara look freely before asking questions. Follow whatever first catches her attention:
- “这是一只小猫。小猫慢慢走。”
- “这是一只小狗。小狗向前跑。”
- “这是一只小兔。小兔跳起来了。”
Choose only one or two prompts:
- “你看到了谁？”
- “谁在走？谁在跑？”
- “小兔在做什么？”
- “你想先学哪一种动物？”
If she only says “猫”, expand it to “对，小猫在走。”
If she only copies a jump, respond with “你像小兔一样跳。”
Today's Original Mini Story
The forest animals are having a sports day.
The cat walks slowly, the dog runs ahead, and the rabbit crouches and jumps.
The dog is fast, but it stops to wait for its friends.
At last, all three animals reach the finish together.
They cheer, “We all did it!”
While telling the story, invite Amara to find each animal and copy its movement. She does not need to answer every question.
2. English Time
Time: 3–5 minutes, focused on listening, pointing, and moving.
Words
| English | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| cat | 猫 | Point to the cat |
| dog | 狗 | Point to the dog |
| rabbit | 兔子 | Point to the rabbit |
| walk | 走 | Walk slowly |
| run | 跑 | Run a few safe steps |
| jump | 跳 | Squat, rise, or gently jump |
Useful Chunks
Show me the cat.Show me the dog.Show me the rabbit.The cat walks.The dog runs.The rabbit jumps.
Play:
- Say
Show me the rabbit.and let her point. - Say
Walk like a cat.and walk slowly together. - Say
Run like a dog.and run a few steps in a safe space. - Say
Jump like a rabbit.; a squat, heel lift, or small bounce is enough.
Do not require translation or a complete sentence. A correct point, movement, or single word is a successful response.
3. Early Math: Point to the Animals
Time: 3–5 minutes.
Count One at a Time
- Find 1 and touch the one cat beside it.
- Find 2 and touch the two dogs one at a time.
- Find 3 and touch the three rabbits one at a time.
- Say only one number for each touch:
one, two, three.
Find and Compare
- “Where is there only one animal?”
- “Where are the two dogs?”
- “Where are the three rabbits?”
- “Which side has more, 1 or 3? Which has less?”
The aim is to match one finger touch, one animal, and one number word. Do not test numeral recognition, writing, or addition.
4. Gross Motor Play: Move Like an Animal
Time: 5–10 minutes.
With a printed page, place the picture at one end of the room. With a screen, point first and then leave the device in a safe place before moving.
- “Walk like a cat to the teaching picture.”
- “Run like a dog for a few steps, then stop.”
- “Crouch like a rabbit, then stand up.”
- Try one walking step, two running steps, and three small jumps.
Movement Safety
A two-foot jump may still be emerging. A squat, heel lift, or gentle bounce is enough; do not correct movement form. Use a non-slip space without sharp corners, and never run towards a screen.
Add one simple start-and-stop game:
- Say “开始” or
Go, and copy one animal movement. - Say “停” or
Stop, and stand still together.
5. Outdoor Observation
During normal outdoor time, try one short observation:
- Look for a bird, cat, dog, insect, or any other moving animal.
- Describe whether it is walking, running, jumping, or flying.
- If there are no animals, notice who is walking and who is running.
Do not chase, touch, or feed unfamiliar animals. Return to child-led outdoor play after the observation.
6. Life Skills: After Movement
Invite Amara to complete one or two steps:
- Take off her shoes and put them in their place.
- Wash her hands.
- Bring her own cup and drink water.
- Return the A4 teaching picture to a folder or its usual place.
Use short prompts:
- “运动结束啦，鞋子回家。”
Shoes off.Wash hands.Water, please.
Bedtime Recall
Keep it conversational rather than testing:
- “今天认识了哪只小动物？”
- “谁在跑？谁在跳？”
Cat, dog, or rabbit?- “明天还想模仿哪个动作？”