Mountains and hills — Geography, 4–6 years
Some land rises high above the land around it. We can compare mountains and hills by looking at their height, shape and steepness.
What are mountains and hills?
A hill or mountain is land that rises above the land around it. A hill is usually lower or gentler, while a mountain is higher or steeper. Both can have paths, trees, rocks or snow.
Why do we notice high land?
Knowing about high land helps us describe a place and decide how to move through it. Going up can take more effort, and roads may bend around a slope. People also choose different homes, paths and activities there.
Compare two slopes
Look at two paths: Path A rises gently over 10 steps, while Path B rises sharply over 4 steps. A is longer but easier to climb; B is shorter but steeper. The number of steps tells us distance, not the whole shape of the land.
A hill is not always tiny
It is tempting to think that every hill is tiny and every mountain is enormous. The words are useful comparisons, but their exact meaning can vary from place to place. A broad, gentle rise may still feel very high when you are climbing it.
Where does this help?
This helps when choosing a walking route, describing a view or looking at a picture of a landscape. A person may choose a gentle path for a buggy and a steeper path for a challenge. It also helps us understand why snow may stay on high ground.
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