Big and Small
Published on: May 03, 2009
Understanding Big and Small: A Foundation for Math
Understanding concepts of big and small is one of the most important building blocks for math readiness. In the Montessori method, children explore size relationships through hands-on materials like the Pink Tower and sorting activities long before they encounter abstract numbers.
Preschool children naturally love talking about how big they are compared to other things — they delight in being bigger than their cat, baby brother or sister, or a stack of blocks. This everyday curiosity is the perfect starting point for building mathematical thinking.
Why Size Concepts Matter
After a child understands about different sizes, he or she is able to understand about less and more, larger than, smaller than, and equal to or the same as. These concepts form the foundation for:
- Seriation — arranging objects from smallest to largest
- Comparison — understanding relative size
- Measurement — quantifying size differences
- Number sense — understanding that 5 is "bigger" than 3
Materials You’ll Need
A Montessori Pink Tower set is ideal for exploring gradation concepts at home. The ten cubes range from 1 cm to 10 cm, giving children a concrete, tactile experience of size differences.
Counting and Size Concept Book for Ages 2-4 — a gentle introduction to size vocabulary through colorful illustrations.
Free Printouts: Big and Small Cards
Here are some pink tower cards to help refine the concepts of size. For younger children, use the small and big cards first. Use one set of cards at a time — for example, start with the big card, bigger card, and biggest card.
The second set of printouts can be used as reading cards and the first set can be used as a control card.
Activities for Exploring Size
Sorting by Size
Gather everyday objects of different sizes — spoons, cups, shoes, stuffed animals — and invite your child to arrange them from smallest to biggest. This is the same principle behind the Montessori sorting activities and sorting printouts.
Size Vocabulary Books
Check out books about size at your local library. Look under key words such as big, little, small, and large. Reading about size concepts reinforces what children discover through hands-on exploration.
Dramatic Play: Ball Finger Play
Make a circle in front of your face using your arms. Make each ball bigger as you say the finger play. Lastly, make the balls go from big, bigger to biggest.
I have a big ball.
Here is a ball that is even bigger.
Here is the biggest ball ever!
Big — Bigger — Biggest!Finger Play from Directress Nancy M.
Related Lessons
- Pink Tower and Counting — using the iconic Montessori material for math
- Lesson of the Day 20: Sorting and Sizes — hands-on sorting activities
- Color Nomenclature Cards — another sensorial matching activity
- Montessori Reading Cards — how to use three-part cards