eduKate · English · 6–8
Choose a comfortable starting point
Start with pictures, practise a sentence, or compare a second language. The adult guidance can be read separately from the child’s activities.
Chapters 1–2: find the right level and see the four scripts.
Chapters 3–4: name the sky and describe temperature or water.
Chapters 5–6: connect clothing, observations and planning.
Chapters 7–8: use a short story and meaningful questions.
Chapters 9–12: plan practice, adjust support and check progress.
These Top 20 Vocabulary Words for Children introduce everyday weather and what to wear for ages 6–8: sun, cloud, rain, snow, wind, sky, warm, cold, hot, wet, dry, coat, hat, boots, umbrella, puddle, shade, rainbow, forecast and shelter. Learn a few at a time, connect each word to a picture or real situation, then use it to explain a small decision.
This international vocabulary lesson has four linked editions: English, Simplified Chinese with Mandarin pinyin, Hindi and Russian. All editions use the same word numbers and example situations. A child can work mainly in one language, compare two, or explore all four with a supportive adult. The four-language table and sentence cards remain available in every edition.
The age range is a suggested teaching level, not a deadline or a test of development. The words move from visible things to descriptions and a little planning. Forecast and shelter are supported stretch words. Children do not need to read every script, know every kind of weather, or learn all 80 word forms in one sitting.
Contents
Chapter 1–4
Chapter 5–8
Chapter 9–12
Put a picture of a cloud beside a picture of an umbrella. Ask, “Which one is in the sky?” If the child points correctly but cannot name cloud, the idea is present and the spoken label needs support. If the child names both but confuses their jobs, return to the meaning. A single wrong answer does not tell you which of these happened.
Begin with one of three routes. For a new learner, use sun, cloud, rain and wind with pictures and gestures. For a child who recognises words, add a short sentence and a choice: “It is raining. Would you look for an umbrella or a rainbow?” For a confident learner, ask for a reason and compare the same idea in a second language.
Separate listening, speaking, reading and writing. A child may understand a Hindi word but not yet read Devanagari, or understand spoken Mandarin while learning its characters. Let pointing or choosing show understanding before demanding handwriting. An unfamiliar writing system should not erase what the child already knows about the weather.
One simple lesson can take five to ten minutes: show two or three meanings, say the words naturally, use one sentence, play a short choice game, and return to one word later. This is a suggested routine, not a promise about how fast a child should learn. Stop while the activity still feels manageable.
Use pictures for unfamiliar weather. A child who has never seen snow can learn its meaning from an image and a short explanation; there is no need to pretend it falls outside their home. Likewise, use the clothes available to the family rather than turn the lesson into a shopping list.
The table matches meanings within this weather lesson. It is not a claim that each English word always has exactly one equivalent. Hindi बर्फ़ can mean snow or ice, so गिरती बर्फ़ or हिमपात can clarify falling snow. Hindi हवा can mean air or wind; our leaf-moving example makes the moving-air meaning clear.
Mandarin appears in simplified characters with pinyin on the cards. Tone marks belong to the pronunciation guide, and letters are not to be read using English sound rules. The pinyin for 暖和 is nuǎnhuo: its second syllable is light. Learn the sound from a proficient speaker or reliable dictionary audio when possible.
Hindi is written in Devanagari, and Russian in Cyrillic. The Latin reading aids are approximate transliterations, not audio and not full phonetic transcriptions. In Hindi aids, ā, ī and ū indicate long vowels; ṭ and ḍ indicate retroflex sounds. Russian accents on the vocabulary headwords mark stress for learners; ordinary sentences usually omit them.
Translations preserve the message rather than copy the word order. English “It is cold” becomes Russian “Холодно” in a weather statement, while “the wind is cold” uses холодный. Hindi changes गीला to गीली with some feminine nouns; Russian adjective endings also change. Learn the complete examples as small useful patterns.
To explore four languages together, keep one idea on the table. Choose a cloud picture; say cloud, 云, बादल, облако; then select one language for a sentence. On another turn, try the matching sentence in a second language. Understanding and enjoying a few connections is a useful goal; equal fluency in all four is not required.
1. sun · 太阳
English: sun
The star that gives Earth light and warmth. In this lesson, sun names the object in the sky; sunny describes weather with sunshine.
The sun is behind a cloud.
简体中文·普通话: 太阳 (tàiyáng)
给地球带来光和热的恒星。本课的“太阳”指天体；“晴朗”可以用来描述天气。
太阳在一朵云的后面。
हिन्दी: सूरज (sūraj)
वह तारा जिससे पृथ्वी को रोशनी और गर्मी मिलती है। यहाँ सूरज आकाश में दिखने वाले तारे का नाम है।
सूरज एक बादल के पीछे है।
Русский: со́лнце (solntse)
Звезда, которая даёт Земле свет и тепло. Солнце — название небесного тела; солнечный — слово для описания погоды.
Солнце за облаком.
Try it: Draw a cloud partly covering the sun. Say what is behind what. Look at the drawing rather than directly at the sun.
2. cloud · 云
English: cloud
A visible group of tiny water droplets or ice crystals in the air. A cloud is not smoke, and seeing one does not tell us exactly when rain will begin.
A cloud moves across the sky.
简体中文·普通话: 云 (yún)
空气中许多小水滴或冰晶聚在一起形成的可见物。云不是烟；看见云，也不能确定什么时候会下雨。
一朵云飘过天空。
हिन्दी: बादल (bādal)
हवा में पानी की बहुत छोटी बूँदों या बर्फ के कणों का दिखाई देने वाला समूह। बादल धुआँ नहीं है; हर बादल से बारिश नहीं होती।
एक बादल आकाश में आगे बढ़ रहा है।
Русский: о́блако (oblako)
Видимое скопление крошечных капель воды или кристалликов льда в воздухе. Облако — не дым; не из каждого облака идёт дождь.
Облако плывёт по небу.
Try it: Choose a cloud picture from three sky pictures. Say what makes it different from a drawing of smoke.
3. rain · 雨
English: rain
Water drops that fall from clouds. Rain can be light or heavy. The word names falling water, while a puddle names water that has collected on the ground.
The rain makes the path wet.
简体中文·普通话: 雨 (yǔ)
从云中落下的水滴。雨有时小，有时大。“雨”指落下的水；“水洼”指地面积起来的一小片水。
雨把小路淋湿了。
हिन्दी: बारिश (bāriś)
बादलों से गिरने वाली पानी की बूँदें। बारिश हल्की या तेज़ हो सकती है। बारिश गिरता हुआ पानी है; ज़मीन पर जमा पानी का छोटा गड्ढा अलग है।
बारिश से रास्ता गीला हो जाता है।
Русский: дождь (dozhd)
Капли воды, падающие из облаков. Дождь бывает слабым или сильным. Дождь падает, а вода в луже уже собралась на земле.
От дождя дорожка становится мокрой.
Try it: Point to falling rain and then to water already on the ground. Explain which picture shows rain.
4. snow · 雪
English: snow
Ice crystals or flakes that fall from clouds. Some children see snow outside; others first meet it in pictures. Snow is different from liquid rain and from hard balls of hail.
Snow covers the ground.
简体中文·普通话: 雪 (xuě)
从云中落下的冰晶或雪花。有些孩子见过雪，有些孩子先在图片里认识雪。雪不同于液态的雨，也不同于冰雹。
雪盖住了地面。
हिन्दी: बर्फ़ (barf)
बादलों से गिरने वाले बर्फ़ के छोटे क्रिस्टल या फाहे। कुछ बच्चे बर्फ़ देखते हैं, कुछ उसे तस्वीरों से पहचानते हैं। हिमपात बारिश और ओलों से अलग है।
ज़मीन पर बर्फ़ बिछी है।
Русский: снег (sneg)
Кристаллики или хлопья льда, падающие из облаков. Одни дети видят снег за окном, другие знакомятся с ним по картинкам. Снег отличается от дождя и града.
Снег покрывает землю.
Try it: Compare a snow picture with a rain picture. Say one visible difference without claiming that all white things are snow.
5. wind · 风
English: wind
Air that is moving. We notice wind through what it does: leaves move, flags flap, or a loose paper slides. In this weather lesson, wind is not a word for breathing.
The wind moves the leaves.
简体中文·普通话: 风 (fēng)
流动的空气。树叶摇动、旗子飘动，都可以帮助我们发现风。本课的“风”不是“呼吸”的意思。
风吹动树叶。
हिन्दी: हवा (havā)
चलती हुई हवा। पत्तों का हिलना या झंडे का लहराना हमें हवा का पता देता है। हिंदी में हवा शब्द स्थिर वायु के लिए भी आता है।
हवा से पत्ते हिलते हैं।
Русский: ве́тер (veter)
Движущийся воздух. Мы замечаем ветер по движению листьев, флага или бумаги. Сам воздух обычно не виден, но его движение можно заметить.
Ветер шевелит листья.
Try it: Hold a strip of paper near a gentle fan with adult help. Name the moving air; the paper shows its effect.
6. sky · 天空
English: sky
The space above us that we see when we look up outdoors. It may look blue, grey, bright, or dark. A sky can contain clouds; it is not itself one large cloud.
The sky looks grey today.
简体中文·普通话: 天空 (tiānkōng)
我们在户外抬头时看到的上方空间。天空可以是蓝色、灰色、明亮的，也可以是暗的。云在天空中，天空本身不是一朵大云。
今天的天空看起来灰蒙蒙的。
हिन्दी: आकाश (ākāś)
बाहर ऊपर देखने पर दिखाई देने वाला विस्तार। आकाश नीला, धूसर, उजला या अँधेरा दिख सकता है। बादल आकाश में होते हैं; पूरा आकाश बादल नहीं है।
आज आकाश धूसर दिख रहा है।
Русский: не́бо (nebo)
Пространство над нами, которое мы видим, когда смотрим вверх на улице. Небо бывает голубым, серым, светлым или тёмным. Облака находятся в небе.
Сегодня небо кажется серым.
Try it: Draw two skies, one blue and one grey. Describe each without assuming that grey always means rain is already falling.
7. warm · 暖和
English: warm
A little hot, often pleasantly so. Warm is less strong than hot in this lesson. We compare descriptions rather than give one temperature that must feel warm to everyone.
It is warm today.
简体中文·普通话: 暖和 (nuǎnhuo)
有一些热，常让人觉得舒服。本课中，“暖和”比“热”的程度轻。每个人的感受可能不同，不能只用一个温度界定所有情况。
今天很暖和。
हिन्दी: हल्का गर्म (halkā garm)
थोड़ी गर्मी वाला, अक्सर आरामदायक। इस पाठ में हल्का गर्म, बहुत गर्म से कम तीव्र है। मौसम के लिए “हल्की गर्मी है” एक स्वाभाविक वाक्य है।
आज मौसम में हल्की गर्मी है।
Русский: тёплый (tyoplyy)
Немного нагретый, часто приятный по ощущению. В этом уроке тёплый обозначает менее сильное тепло, чем жаркий. Про погоду можно сказать: «Сегодня тепло».
Сегодня тепло.
Try it: Compare a warm day and a very hot day in pictures. Use warm for the milder description; no touching hot objects is needed.
8. cold · 冷
English: cold
Having a low temperature, or feeling that way. Cold can describe air or an object. Here it describes temperature; it does not mean the illness in the expression a cold.
The wind is cold.
简体中文·普通话: 冷 (lěng)
温度低，或让人觉得温度低。“冷”可以描述天气或物体。本课讲温度，不是英文 a cold 所说的“感冒”。
风很冷。
हिन्दी: ठंडा (ṭhaṇḍā)
कम तापमान वाला या ऐसा महसूस होने वाला। ठंडा शब्द हवा या किसी वस्तु के लिए आ सकता है। यहाँ cold तापमान है, ज़ुकाम नहीं।
हवा ठंडी है।
Русский: холо́дный (kholodnyy)
Имеющий низкую температуру или вызывающий такое ощущение. Холодный можно сказать о воздухе или предмете. Английское cold здесь не означает простуду.
Ветер холодный.
Try it: Choose a picture of someone dressing for cold weather. Explain the choice using the word cold.
9. hot · 热
English: hot
Having a high temperature. For weather, English uses hot and Russian often uses жарко or жаркий. A hot drink needs a different Russian adjective: горячий.
It is hot today.
简体中文·普通话: 热 (rè)
温度高。英文 hot 可以描述天气和饮料；俄语描述炎热天气和烫的饮料时，通常使用不同的词。
今天很热。
हिन्दी: गर्म (garm)
ज़्यादा तापमान वाला। मौसम के लिए “आज बहुत गर्मी है” कहा जा सकता है। रूसी में गर्म मौसम और गर्म पेय के विशेषण अलग होते हैं।
आज बहुत गर्मी है।
Русский: жа́ркий (zharkiy)
С высокой температурой — о погоде. Говорим «жаркий день» или «сегодня жарко». О горячем напитке говорят горячий, а не жаркий.
Сегодня жарко.
Try it: Use the weather sentence for a hot day. Compare its Russian form with the note about a hot drink.
10. wet · 湿
English: wet
Having water on it or in it. A coat can be wet while the person inside is still dry. Wet describes a condition; it does not tell us by itself whether something is clean.
My coat is wet.
简体中文·普通话: 湿 (shī)
表面有水，或里面含有水。外套湿了，里面的人仍可能是干的。“湿”描述状态，不代表东西一定干净或不干净。
我的外套湿了。
हिन्दी: गीला (gīlā)
जिस पर या जिसमें पानी हो। कोट गीला हो सकता है, जबकि अंदर के कपड़े सूखे हों। गीला होने से किसी चीज़ के साफ़ होने का पता नहीं चलता।
मेरा कोट गीला है।
Русский: мо́крый (mokryy)
С водой на поверхности или внутри. Пальто может быть мокрым, а одежда под ним — сухой. Мокрый не означает автоматически чистый или грязный.
Моё пальто мокрое.
Try it: An adult can dampen one corner of a cloth with clean water. Name the wet part, then compare it with a dry part.
11. dry · 干
English: dry
Not wet. A dry towel has no noticeable water in it. Dry does not mean hot: a cold cloth can be dry, and a warm cloth can be wet.
This towel is dry.
简体中文·普通话: 干 (gān)
不湿。干毛巾里没有明显的水分。“干”不等于“热”：冷布可以是干的，暖布也可以是湿的。
这条毛巾是干的。
हिन्दी: सूखा (sūkhā)
जो गीला न हो। सूखे तौलिए में महसूस होने लायक पानी नहीं होता। सूखा और गर्म अलग बातें हैं; ठंडी चीज़ भी सूखी हो सकती है।
यह तौलिया सूखा है।
Русский: сухо́й (sukhoy)
Не мокрый. В сухом полотенце нет заметной влаги. Сухой не означает горячий: холодная ткань может быть сухой, а тёплая — мокрой.
Это полотенце сухое.
Try it: Find something dry in a picture containing a wet coat and a dry towel. Temperature is not the clue.
12. coat · 外套
English: coat
An outer piece of clothing worn over other clothes. Coats differ: some are warm, some help keep rain off. The word alone does not promise that a coat is waterproof.
My coat is on the chair.
简体中文·普通话: 外套 (wàitào)
穿在其他衣服外面的衣物。外套各有不同，有些保暖，有些能挡雨。仅仅叫“外套”，并不能说明它一定防水。
我的外套在椅子上。
हिन्दी: कोट (koṭ)
दूसरे कपड़ों के ऊपर पहना जाने वाला बाहरी वस्त्र। कुछ कोट गर्म रखते हैं, कुछ बारिश से बचाते हैं। हर कोट को पानी रोकने वाला न मानें।
मेरा कोट कुर्सी पर है।
Русский: пальто́ (palto)
Верхняя одежда, которую надевают поверх другой одежды. Пальто бывают разными. Само название не означает, что вещь обязательно защищает от дождя.
Моё пальто на стуле.
Try it: Find the outer layer in a clothing picture. Ask whether the picture alone proves that the coat is waterproof.
13. hat · 帽子
English: hat
Something worn on the head. This set uses a brimmed hat in its picture idea. Russian шляпа is more specific than English hat; a knitted winter hat is usually шапка.
My hat has a wide brim.
简体中文·普通话: 帽子 (màozi)
戴在头上的物品。本课可配有帽檐的帽子图片。俄语 шляпа 通常指有帽檐的帽子；冬天的针织帽通常叫 шапка。
我的帽子有宽宽的帽檐。
हिन्दी: टोपी (ṭopī)
सिर पर पहनी जाने वाली चीज़। यहाँ किनारे वाली टोपी की तस्वीर लें। रूसी шляпа ऐसी टोपी के लिए है; बुनी हुई सर्दियों की टोपी को शапка कहते हैं।
मेरी टोपी का किनारा चौड़ा है।
Русский: шля́па (shlyapa)
Головной убор с полями. Английское hat шире по значению: зимняя вязаная шапка обычно называется шапка, а не шляпа. Для этой карточки подходит рисунок шляпы с полями.
У моей шляпы широкие поля.
Try it: Choose a brimmed hat picture for this translation set. Compare it with a knitted cap and notice the Russian word difference.
14. boots · 靴子
English: boots
Footwear that covers the foot and extends above the ankle. Some boots are made for rain, others for cold weather or work. Do not assume that every boot keeps water out.
My boots are beside the door.
简体中文·普通话: 靴子 (xuēzi)
包住脚并高过脚踝的鞋。有些靴子适合雨天，有些适合寒冷天气或工作。不是所有靴子都能防水。
我的靴子在门旁边。
हिन्दी: बूट (būṭ)
पैर ढकने वाले ऐसे जूते जो टखने के ऊपर तक जाते हैं। कुछ बूट बारिश के लिए होते हैं, कुछ ठंड या काम के लिए। सभी बूट पानी नहीं रोकते।
मेरे बूट दरवाज़े के पास हैं।
Русский: сапоги́ (sapogi)
Обувь, которая закрывает ступню и поднимается выше щиколотки. Одни сапоги предназначены для дождя, другие — для холода или работы. Не все сапоги непромокаемые.
Мои сапоги стоят у двери.
Try it: Point to one boot and then a pair of boots. In English, say one boot and two boots.
15. umbrella · 雨伞
English: umbrella
A folding cover held over the head, often used against ordinary rain. An umbrella is an object, not clothing. It is not safe protection from lightning or a severe storm.
My umbrella is beside the door.
简体中文·普通话: 雨伞 (yǔsǎn)
可以撑开、举在头顶上方的遮挡物，常用于普通雨天。雨伞不是衣服，也不能为雷电或强风暴提供安全保护。
我的雨伞在门旁边。
हिन्दी: छाता (chātā)
खुलने और बंद होने वाला आवरण, जिसे सामान्य बारिश में सिर के ऊपर पकड़ा जाता है। छाता कपड़ा नहीं है और बिजली या तेज़ तूफ़ान से सुरक्षित आश्रय नहीं देता।
मेरा छाता दरवाज़े के पास है।
Русский: зонт (zont)
Складной предмет, который держат над головой, обычно для защиты от обычного дождя. Зонт не является одеждой и не служит безопасным укрытием от грозы.
Мой зонт стоит у двери.
Try it: Match an umbrella with ordinary rain. For thunder, the adult selects a safe indoor plan instead of an umbrella game.
Chapter 6 of 12 · Choose what to wear
6. Words 16–20: notice, plan and find protection
16. puddle · 水洼
English: puddle
A small amount of water collected on the ground. A puddle is smaller than a pond in the everyday examples here. Look at a picture or from a safe dry place for this lesson.
There is a puddle on the path.
简体中文·普通话: 水洼 (shuǐwā)
地面积起来的一小片水。本课日常例子中的水洼比池塘小。学习时可以看图片，也可以站在安全、干燥的地方观察。
小路上有一处水洼。
हिन्दी: पानी का छोटा गड्ढा (pānī kā choṭā gaḍḍhā)
ज़मीन की छोटी नीची जगह में जमा थोड़ा पानी। यहाँ यह तालाब से छोटा है। तस्वीर से सीखें या सुरक्षित, सूखी जगह से देखें।
रास्ते के छोटे गड्ढे में पानी जमा है।
Русский: лу́жа (luzha)
Небольшое скопление воды на земле. В обычных примерах лужа меньше пруда. Для занятия подойдёт картинка или наблюдение из безопасного сухого места.
На дорожке лужа.
Try it: Spot water collected in a small low place in a picture. Explain how that differs from falling rain.
17. shade · 阴凉处
English: shade
A place where something blocks direct sunlight. Here shade means a place to sit out of direct sun, not a colour shade. Shade and a particular object’s shadow are related but not identical uses in English.
We sit in the shade.
简体中文·普通话: 阴凉处 (yīnliángchù)
有东西挡住阳光直射的地方。本课的 shade 指可避开阳光直射的地方，不是“色调”。英文 shade 与某个物体的 shadow 有关，但用法不完全相同。
我们坐在阴凉处。
हिन्दी: छाया (chāyā)
वह जगह जहाँ कोई चीज़ सीधी धूप रोकती है। यहाँ shade का मतलब रंग की छटा नहीं है। छाया शब्द परछाईं और धूप से ढकी जगह, दोनों के लिए आ सकता है।
हम छाया में बैठते हैं।
Русский: тень (ten)
Место, куда не попадают прямые солнечные лучи из-за препятствия. Здесь английское shade означает тень для отдыха, а не оттенок цвета. По-русски тень также бывает от отдельного предмета.
Мы сидим в тени.
Try it: Move a toy from direct lamp light into a shaded area. Describe the position; a lamp activity is only a model.
18. rainbow · 彩虹
English: rainbow
A coloured arc sometimes seen when sunlight interacts with water droplets in the air. A rainbow is not guaranteed after every shower. In a story, describe what the character actually sees.
We can see a rainbow.
简体中文·普通话: 彩虹 (cǎihóng)
阳光与空气中的水滴相互作用时，有时能看见的彩色弧形。不是每次下雨后都有彩虹。写故事时，应描述人物真正看到的情况。
我们能看见一道彩虹。
हिन्दी: इंद्रधनुष (indradhanuṣ)
रंगों की धनुष जैसी आकृति, जो कभी-कभी हवा की बूँदों पर सूरज की रोशनी पड़ने से दिखती है। हर बारिश के बाद इंद्रधनुष दिखना ज़रूरी नहीं है।
हमें इंद्रधनुष दिखाई दे रहा है।
Русский: ра́дуга (raduga)
Цветная дуга, которую иногда видно при взаимодействии солнечного света с каплями воды в воздухе. Радуга появляется не после каждого дождя. В рассказе описывайте то, что герой действительно видит.
Мы видим радугу.
Try it: Draw a rainbow in a story picture if the story says one is visible. Do not add one merely because rain stopped.
19. forecast · 天气预报
English: forecast
Information about what the weather is expected to be like later. A forecast uses evidence but can change. It is different from looking outside and reporting what is happening now.
The forecast says it may rain.
简体中文·普通话: 天气预报 (tiānqì yùbào)
关于之后可能出现什么天气的信息。天气预报依据资料作出，也可能更新。它与看窗外、描述现在的天气不同。
天气预报说可能会下雨。
हिन्दी: मौसम का पूर्वानुमान (mausam kā pūrvānumān)
बाद में मौसम कैसा रहने की संभावना है, इसकी जानकारी। पूर्वानुमान जानकारी पर आधारित होता है, पर बदल सकता है। यह अभी बाहर दिख रहा मौसम बताने से अलग है।
मौसम के पूर्वानुमान के अनुसार बारिश हो सकती है।
Русский: прогно́з пого́ды (prognoz pogody)
Информация о том, какой погода ожидается позже. Прогноз основан на данных, но может меняться. Он отличается от описания того, что происходит за окном сейчас.
По прогнозу может пойти дождь.
Try it: Compare “It is raining now” with “It may rain later.” Identify which sentence reports a forecast.
20. shelter · 避风雨的地方
English: shelter
A place that gives protection. For ordinary rain, the story uses a building. Different hazards need different protection; an open canopy or a tree is not safe shelter from lightning.
We go into a building for shelter.
简体中文·普通话: 避风雨的地方 (bì fēngyǔ de dìfang)
能够提供保护的地方。本课故事在普通雨天使用建筑物作例子。不同危险需要不同保护；敞篷亭子或树下不是安全的避雷地点。
我们走进一座建筑物避雨。
हिन्दी: आश्रय (āśray)
सुरक्षा देने वाली जगह। सामान्य बारिश के उदाहरण में हम इमारत लेते हैं। अलग खतरों में अलग सुरक्षा चाहिए; पेड़ या खुला शेड बिजली से सुरक्षित आश्रय नहीं है।
हम आश्रय लेने के लिए एक इमारत में जाते हैं।
Русский: укры́тие (ukrytiye)
Место, которое даёт защиту. В примере с обычным дождём используется здание. Для разных опасностей нужна разная защита; дерево или открытый навес не являются безопасным укрытием от молнии.
Мы заходим в здание, чтобы укрыться от дождя.
Try it: Choose a building in the story as a place to get out of ordinary rain. Discuss how protection depends on the weather.
Read only the language the child wants first. The four versions tell the same small story; they are not a word-for-word grammar exercise. Pause at the change from expected rain to observed rain.
English
The sky looks grey. Alex and a trusted adult check the forecast. It may rain later. The wind is cold, so Alex chooses a coat. The adult checks that the clothes suit the outing. Alex puts the umbrella beside the door. Soon, rain begins to fall. Alex and the adult go into a building for shelter. From a window, they see a puddle on the path. The coat is wet, but a towel inside the bag is dry. Later, the rain stops. The sun appears, and Alex sees a rainbow. Another day may end without a rainbow. Alex tells a friend what happened: “The forecast said it might rain. Then we saw rain. We went inside.”
简体中文·普通话
天空看起来灰蒙蒙的。亚历克斯和一位信任的成人查看天气预报：之后可能下雨。风很冷，亚历克斯选了一件外套。成人检查衣物是否适合这次出门。亚历克斯把雨伞放在门旁边。不久，雨真的下起来了。他们走进一座建筑物避雨。透过窗户，他们看见小路上的水洼。外套湿了，包里的毛巾却是干的。后来雨停了，太阳出来，亚历克斯看见了一道彩虹。不过，别的雨天过后不一定会有彩虹。亚历克斯告诉朋友：“预报说可能下雨，后来我们真的看见雨了，然后我们进了室内。”
हिन्दी
आकाश धूसर दिख रहा है। एलेक्स एक भरोसेमंद वयस्क के साथ मौसम का पूर्वानुमान देखता है। बाद में बारिश हो सकती है। हवा ठंडी है, इसलिए एलेक्स कोट चुनता है। वयस्क देखता है कि कपड़े बाहर जाने के लिए ठीक हैं। एलेक्स छाता दरवाज़े के पास रखता है। थोड़ी देर में बारिश होने लगती है। दोनों आश्रय के लिए एक इमारत में जाते हैं। खिड़की से उन्हें रास्ते के छोटे गड्ढे में पानी दिखता है। कोट गीला है, पर बैग के अंदर का तौलिया सूखा है। बाद में बारिश रुकती है। सूरज निकलता है और एलेक्स को इंद्रधनुष दिखता है। किसी और दिन बारिश के बाद इंद्रधनुष न भी दिखे। एलेक्स दोस्त को बताता है: “पूर्वानुमान में बारिश की संभावना थी। फिर हमने बारिश देखी। हम अंदर गए।”
Русский
Небо кажется серым. Алекс вместе со знакомым взрослым смотрит прогноз погоды: позже может пойти дождь. Ветер холодный, поэтому Алекс выбирает пальто. Взрослый проверяет, подходит ли одежда для прогулки. Алекс ставит зонт у двери. Вскоре начинается дождь. Алекс и взрослый заходят в здание, чтобы укрыться. Из окна они видят лужу на дорожке. Пальто мокрое, но полотенце в сумке сухое. Позже дождь заканчивается. Появляется солнце, и Алекс видит радугу. В другой день после дождя радуги может и не быть. Алекс рассказывает другу: «По прогнозу мог пойти дождь. Потом мы увидели дождь. Мы зашли в помещение».
Use the questions orally, on paper or with pictures. Hide the answers for one turn, then discuss them together. A sensible alternative sentence can be correct even if it does not match the model exactly. These activities check meaning and use; they do not measure complete language ability.
First choose a language for answering. A multilingual child may give the meaning in another language before finding the target word. Acknowledge that meaning, supply the missing word, and try one short sentence together. Keep the communication moving.
1. Which word names moving air?
2. A towel has water in it. Is it wet or dry?
3. Name two things in the sky from this list.
4. Which word is the milder temperature description in this lesson: warm or hot?
5. The path has a small pool of water. Which word fits?
6. What is different about rain and snow?
7. The forecast says it may rain. Does that mean rain is falling now?
8. Can the name coat alone tell us that an item is waterproof?
9. Repair this sentence for an ordinary picture: “My umbrella is a cloud.”
10. Choose two weather words and give a reason for a clothing choice.
Suggested answers
- Wind. Leaves moving in the example give a clue.
- Wet. It may be warm or cold; that is a separate description.
- Sun and cloud are two possible answers. A rainbow is another possible sky observation.
- Warm. The comparison is about the descriptions; people do not all feel temperature identically.
- Puddle. Rain names water falling from clouds.
- Rain falls as liquid drops; snow falls as ice crystals or flakes.
- No. A forecast describes expected weather later.
- No. Different coats have different materials and uses.
- For example: “My umbrella is beside the door.” A cloud is in the sky; an umbrella is an object we hold.
- For example: “The wind is cold, so I will take my coat.” The adult still checks what is suitable.
Adult: “What do you notice?” Child: “The sky is grey.”
Adult: “What does the forecast say?” Child: “It may rain.”
Adult: “What could we take?” Child: “An umbrella, if the adult says it is suitable.”
Adult: “What if we hear thunder?” Child: “We go indoors with an adult.”
The days are a sequence of options, not a timetable every family must follow. Repeat a day, shorten it, or spread it over several days. In a classroom, children can choose different language roles without representing a whole country or culture.
| Day | Words | Activity | What to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun, cloud, rain, wind | Match four pictures; name or point to two. | Can the child match a spoken word without copying your pointing? |
| 2 | Snow, sky; revisit two earlier words | Compare a rain picture and a snow picture. | Can the child explain a difference in a comfortable language? |
| 3 | Warm, cold, hot | Choose a description for a story picture. | Can the child distinguish the milder and stronger heat words? |
| 4 | Wet, dry; revisit rain | Sort safe cloth pictures by condition. | Can the child separate wet/dry from hot/cold? |
| 5 | Coat, hat, boots, umbrella | Pack a pretend bag for the story. | Can the child connect an item to a reason? |
| 6 | Puddle, shade, rainbow | Find the words in a drawing. | Can the child identify the feature in a different picture? |
| 7 | Forecast, shelter; review choices | Tell a three-sentence weather plan. | Can the child separate what is seen now from what may happen later? |
Chapter 10 of 12 · Review and continue
10. Find the exact difficulty and adjust the task
Recognition needs repair when the child cannot reliably connect a word to its picture. Reduce the choice to two very different pictures, say the word, show the meaning, and try again after a short pause. If the child only repeats your last word, change the order and ask for pointing rather than another repetition.
Recall needs stabilising when the child points correctly but cannot produce the word without the model. Offer the beginning of a phrase or two spoken choices, then gradually remove the prompt. Revisit the same meaning using a new picture. Do not turn a forgotten label into a judgement about effort.
Sentence use needs support when a child knows coat and cold but cannot join them into a message. Start with “It is cold” and “I take my coat.” An adult can model a longer reason after the child has communicated. In Hindi and Russian, practise the supplied forms before changing the noun and its agreement.
Reading needs a separate route when speech is comfortable but print is unfamiliar. Match a spoken word to its written form using two cards. Let an adult read the story. Copying characters, Devanagari or Cyrillic can be an optional later activity, rather than the price of joining the lesson.
Extension is appropriate when the child can use the words without a picture model. Ask for a contrast, a reason or a correction: “The forecast says rain, but the path is dry now. Can both be true?” Invite a second language if the child wants one. New difficulty should come from a richer thought, not simply a longer list.
Change one condition after familiar practice. Use a new picture, move the umbrella to a new position, or change today’s weather in a pretend story. Ask the child to choose and explain without immediately showing yesterday’s answer. This helps you see whether the meaning travels beyond the original card.
Keep a small record by language and skill. Write “understands cloud when heard,” “says बादल with a picture,” or “reads облако with help.” These descriptions are more useful than “knows four languages.” They distinguish independent use from recognition after a prompt.
Try three checkpoints: identify two words in a fresh image; make one meaningful sentence; explain one reasonable preparation choice. If one step is hard, return to the matching teaching section. Do not add together four-language attempts into a speed score.
The strongest small success is useful communication: the child tells someone that the coat is wet, asks for an umbrella in ordinary rain, or says the forecast is uncertain. Twenty translated labels are an introduction. Conversation, listening and reading need continuing opportunities beyond this page.
Chapter 12 of 12 · Review and continue
12. Questions, sources and the next learning step
Must my child learn all four languages?
No. Choose one main language and use the others as optional comparisons. The linked editions let the family change its reading language without changing the word set.
Is this a universal list of the twenty most important words?
No. “Top 20” identifies a curated lesson set. It is not a research ranking, an official curriculum, or a claim about every child’s priorities.
What if my child is younger, older or new to the language?
Adjust the activity to current understanding. Younger beginners can point to a few pictures; older beginners can use the same simple meanings with more independent reading and explanation.
Do we need snow, boots and a coat at home?
No. Use drawings, books or pictures. The lesson includes different weather experiences without treating any one climate as normal for everyone.
Why do some translations contain several words?
Languages divide meanings differently. A natural Hindi phrase for a puddle or a Mandarin phrase for weather shelter can be clearer than forcing a misleading single-word match.
Can a child mix languages while answering?
Acknowledge the message, then model the target form. ASHA’s family guidance describes mixing languages as an expected part of multilingual use; keep opportunities to practise supportive.
Should we correct every sound and ending?
Choose one useful correction at a time and model it kindly. Reading aids support first encounters; listening to proficient speakers helps with sounds and rhythm that text cannot fully show.
Is shade the same as safe shelter in a thunderstorm?
No. Shade blocks direct sun. Follow adult guidance and official local weather advice; the linked National Weather Service guidance explains the importance of going indoors when thunder is heard.
Sources and further reading
The word explanations, examples, story and activities on this page are teaching material. The external references below support the family-language guidance and the weather-protection distinction; they do not constitute a ranking of the twenty words.
Continue with another language edition using the same word numbers. For a parent-led extension on predictions, read the existing guide to interpreting weather forecasts and rain probability. It goes beyond this beginner lesson.