I Can Describe a Picture
I Can Describe a Picture
Today we notice a color, an object, and an action, then let the adult expand one gesture or word into a short phrase.
Today's Approach
Amara is about 2 years and 5 months old. Keep each guided activity to 3–8 minutes. Looking, pointing, making a running gesture, saying one word, or declining all count. The adult expands language without demanding a sentence or correcting pronunciation.
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 show it full-screen. Use only the poster. Point to one example—red ball, blue cup, or dog runs—and model a short phrase. Amara may answer with a look, gesture, sound, or one word.
Goals
- Chinese: understand “颜色、物品、动作、红球、蓝杯、小狗跑.”
- English: meet
color,object,action,red ball,blue cup, anddog runs. - Language: experience adult expansion from one response into a two-word phrase or short sentence.
- Early math: touch exactly one red ball, two blue cups, and three running dogs.
- Movement: use a small seated running-arm gesture rather than actual running.
Materials
- Only the A4 teaching picture above.
- No ball, cup, dog toy, color card, or other object is required.
1. Chinese Picture Talk
Time: 5–8 minutes.
- “这是红色的球：红球。”
- “这是蓝色的杯子：蓝杯。”
- “小狗在跑：小狗跑。”
If Amara says “球,” expand once: “对，红球。” Do not require her to repeat the longer phrase.
2. English Time
Time: 3–5 minutes.
| English | 中文 | Possible response |
|---|---|---|
color | 颜色 | Point to red or blue |
object | 物品 | Point to ball or cup |
action | 动作 | Point to dog |
red ball | 红球 | Say ball or point |
blue cup | 蓝杯 | Say cup or point |
dog runs | 小狗跑 | Small arm gesture |
Model one phrase, pause, and accept the response. Do not drill all six expressions.
3. Early Math: Ball, Cups, Dogs
Time: 3–5 minutes.
- Under 1, touch the one red ball.
- Under 2, touch the two blue cups separately.
- Under 3, touch the three running dogs separately.
Do not count ball lines, cup handles, dog legs, or objects in the upper rows.
4. Seated Action: Dog Runs
Time: 3–5 minutes beside an adult.
Remain seated and move bent arms gently twice to represent running, then rest. There is no need to stand, chase, or run. Watching or declining is accepted.
5. Life Skill: Adult Language Expansion
Time: 3–5 minutes.
Follow Amara's lead:
- Point → adult says,
red ball. - “杯” → adult says, “蓝色的杯子。”
- Running gesture → adult says,
The dog runs.
Expand once, without requesting imitation.
No Language Performance
Do not require a sentence, repeat a prompt until answered, correct pronunciation, or compare vocabulary. Use no real objects and no running activity. A gesture, one word, looking away, or refusal remains valid communication.
Bedtime Recall
- “你想看红球、蓝杯还是小狗？”
Red ball, blue cup, or dog?
The adult may describe the chosen picture once.