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: Comparing and Ordering

Age: 33-36 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 33-36 Months.

Play with the child in dramatic play about making cookies with play dough. Have different colors of play dough, plastic plates and a cookie sheet.

Make cookies of different shapes and sizes. “Look at this cookie sheet. There’s nothing on it! It’s…. (See if the child says, “Empty.”) “Let’s make cookies and fill it up.” The adult models by talking about what he is doing. “I’m going to make a long cookie. What are you going to make?” Incorporate comparative terms as you place the cookies on the cookie sheet. “Whose is larger, yours or mine?” etc.

The child will use a variety of comparative terms.

Encourage parents to participate in dramatic play with the child as well as involve the child in daily routines. Involving the child in cooking is a great way to talk about comparisons, measurements, colors, shapes, and so on.