Here, There & Back
Here, There & Back
Today we follow the pictured cat through here, there, and back, placing spatial language inside a safe, predictable tiny story.
Today's Approach
Amara is about 2 years and 6 months old. Keep each activity to 3–8 minutes. Watching the cat, pointing, moving a hand, using one word, pausing, or declining all count. The activity stays on the poster; Amara is never asked to go away, hide, or return alone.
A4 Teaching Picture
Open the original image to download or print
Goals
- Chinese: understand 这里, 那里, and 回来.
- English: meet
here,there,back, and the pictured cat story. - Early maths: count one cat, two birds, and three trees.
- Safety: understand that spatial words never authorise leaving the caregiver's sight.
Materials
- Only the A4 teaching picture and English audio.
- No animals, position markers, or outdoor activity are needed.
1. Chinese Picture Talk
Time: 5–8 minutes.
Trace the middle row and say, “猫在这里。猫去那里。猫回来了。” Keep the pointing hand on the poster. Amara may track the cat or focus only on the final card.
2. English Time
Time: 3–5 minutes.
Download today's English audio
Transcript: English time. Listen, look, or point. Here is the cat. There is the bird. Come back, little cat. Here. There. Back. The cat goes there. The cat comes back here. All done.
Point to the matching cards for here, there, and back. Do not invite Amara to run across the room.
3. Early Maths: Where Are 1, 2, and 3?
Time: 3–5 minutes.
Count only the bottom row: one cat, two birds, and three trees. Add one location phrase, such as “两只鸟在这里,” without asking Amara to remember the route.
4. Movement and Everyday Connection
Time: 3–5 minutes.
Move one finger a short distance along the poster: here → there → back. Eye tracking is participation; reaching or moving the body is optional.
Sight and Outdoor Safety
Do not turn this into hide-and-seek or ask Amara to go behind furniture, leave the room, or move out of sight. Outside, come back never grants permission to move away; the caregiver maintains close supervision.
Bedtime Recall
- “Where did the cat finish?”
- “Which card has the bird?”
Here, there, back.