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: 30-33 Months

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The adult can elicit vocabulary by being a player. In dramatic play outdoors, say, “I am making a museum of nature for people to come and see. I need rocks. I need a big one and a little one.” “ I need a heavy one and a light one.” “Okay, now how about a tall stick.” Continue with other characteristics hard, soft, etc. If the child brings many rocks, “Say, I just need one. You pick the one.” (You can also add in counting and say a number that you need.)

“This stick is nice and short, (lay it down) but I’d like one that is long.”

Identifies the global categories of short and long, and uses comparative terms with two items.

As children begin to see more discrete differences, they add vocabulary to describe what they are seeing. Encourage parents to use comparative terms in their daily routines. For instance, while cooking dinner, say, “Can you find a larger potato for Daddy?”