Float & Sink
Float & Sink
Today we look at picture examples of a leaf and toy boat floating and a stone sinking, without carrying out a water experiment.
Today's Approach
Amara is about 2 years and 5 months old. Keep each guided activity to 3–8 minutes. Looking, pointing, moving a hand up or down, saying one word, or declining all count. These are examples for conversation, not fixed rules or a prediction test.
A4 Teaching Picture
Open the original image to download or print
How to use it
Print on portrait A4 paper with “Fit to page,” or display it full-screen. Use only the poster. Point to the water line in each middle card. Do not prepare a bowl of water, drop objects, or go near a bath, pool, pond, or other water source.
Goals
- Chinese: understand the picture words “叶子、玩具船、石头、浮起来、沉下去.”
- English: meet
leaf,toy boat,stone,float, andsink. - Early science: notice that floating or sinking depends on material, shape, and conditions; the poster shows examples only.
- Early math: touch exactly one leaf, two boats, and three stones in the bottom row.
- Movement: optionally move one hand gently high or low while seated safely.
Materials
- Only the A4 teaching picture above.
- No water, container, leaf, boat, stone, or other real object is required.
1. Chinese Picture Talk
Time: 5–8 minutes.
- “图片里的叶子在水面上。”
- “图片里的玩具船在水面上。”
- “这块图片里的石头在水线下面。”
- “换一种材料、形状或情况，结果可能不同。”
Ask only one prompt: “哪张图在水面上？” A glance or point is enough.
2. English Time
Time: 3–5 minutes.
| English | 中文 | Picture response |
|---|---|---|
leaf | 叶子 | Point to leaf |
toy boat | 玩具船 | Point to boat |
stone | 石头 | Point to stone |
float | 浮起来 | Hand near the pictured water line |
sink | 沉下去 | Hand gently lower |
Model: The leaf floats. The boat floats. The stone sinks in this picture. Stress in this picture; do not ask for a prediction.
3. Early Math: Leaf, Boats, Stones
Time: 3–5 minutes.
Count only the bottom row:
- Under 1, touch the one leaf.
- Under 2, touch the two boats separately.
- Under 3, touch the three stones separately.
Do not count leaf veins, boat parts, water lines, or upper-row objects.
4. Seated Movement: Float and Sink Hands
Time: 3–5 minutes.
While seated beside an adult, hold one relaxed hand near shoulder height for float, then lower it toward the lap for sink. One cycle is enough. The child may only watch or decline.
5. Life Skill: Stay Away From Water
Time: 3–5 minutes.
Say: “今天只看图片，不去找水。” / Pictures only; stay with an adult. Reinforce that an adult manages all water access. This is not permission to test household objects.
Water Safety and Scientific Limits
Do not conduct a water experiment or invite the child near water. Children require close, active adult supervision around any water. A pictured leaf, toy boat, and stone are examples; material, shape, trapped air, water conditions, and other factors can change what happens.
Bedtime Recall
- “图片里什么在水面上？”
Leaf, boat, or stone?
Keep it conversational. Do not promise that every similar object will behave the same way.