Understanding Number Comparison
Numbers can be friends who like to compare themselves!
We can tell if one number is bigger, smaller, or equal to another number. We use special signs to show this: > (greater than), < (less than), and = (equal to).
How to Compare Numbers
1️⃣ Count the objects or look at the numbers
2️⃣ Decide which number is bigger or if they're equal
3️⃣ Use the correct sign to show the comparison
Let's Practice Together!
Example 1: Number Comparison
Which number is greater: 7 or 5?
7
?
5
Correct! 7 > 5 because 7 is greater than 5.
Example 2: Fruit Comparison
Are there more apples or oranges?
🍎🍎🍎🍎
4 apples
🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊
5 oranges
Great job! 4 < 5 because there are fewer apples than oranges.
Parent Tips 🌟
- Make it visual: Use toys, snacks, or drawings to physically compare quantities before introducing the symbols.
- Hand signs: Teach kids to make "greater than" and "less than" signs with their hands (the alligator mouth always eats the bigger number!).
- Daily practice: Compare everyday items - "Do we have more forks or spoons?" "Who has more grapes on their plate?"