North Carolina Early Learning and Development Progressions: Birth to Five

Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Cognitive Development (CD)

Subdomain: Mathematical Thinking and Expression

Goal: Children compare, sort, group, organize and measure objects and create patterns in their everyday environment.

Skill Progression: Measuring

Age: 24-27 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 24-27 Months.

Size: Recognizes size differences (big, little)

Situations for Observation of Skill

Provide nesting boxes and stacking toy.

Elicitation Strategy

Present stacking or nesting objects two at a time, and ask for the big one or the little one.

Behavior Observed

The child knows the concepts of big and little and selects what is requested.

Routines-based Intervention (Embedded Instruction)

Children talk in global terms, but early childhood educators and parents can introduce three objects and talk about comparison to expand the child’s concepts. “This one is a little bit bigger.” Actual manipulation and comparison with real objects is best for children. Early childhood educators and parents should also use time concepts with children to expand their understanding of past, present, and future.

 North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, 2015

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