When a child demonstrates an inability to leap over a barrier, his teacher checks to see if he mastered the skills of jumping down from a height and jumping for distance. in doing this, the teacher is

..training high jumpers too soon.

engaging in a process of assessing the child's physical abilities and identifying potential areas for improvement. By checking if the child has mastered the skills of jumping down from a height and jumping for distance, the teacher is evaluating the child's jumping capabilities and trying to determine if there are any underlying difficulties that may be hindering the child's ability to leap over a barrier.

To conduct such an assessment, the teacher may observe the child attempting to jump down from a designated height and measure how far the child can jump for distance. This process helps the teacher gain insights into the child's jumping technique, strength, coordination, and potential limitations.

By doing this, the teacher can pinpoint specific areas in which the child may need additional support or instruction. For example, if the child struggles with jumping down from a height, it may indicate a fear of heights or lack of body control. If the child has difficulty jumping for distance, it may suggest a lack of leg strength or coordination.

Ultimately, this assessment allows the teacher to tailor their instruction and interventions to the child's specific needs, enabling them to provide targeted guidance and assistance in developing the necessary skills to overcome the barrier successfully.