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Math through play · Ages 4 to 6

Comparing numbers in kindergarten: games for more, less and which is bigger

By the Dandelion’s World team · Updated · 2 min read

Quick answer

Kindergartners compare numbers best by comparing groups of real things first: line two groups up side by side and see which row is longer. Card battle, handful grabs and number-line races build the idea of more and less. Children usually learn the words 'more', 'fewer' and 'the same' well before the < and > symbols.

Which Is Bigger? in SillyCam: two numbers float above a child's head and the child taps the bigger one.

"Who has more?" is a question young children ask all day, especially about snacks. Comparing numbers turns that natural instinct into math: matching, counting and finally knowing that 7 is bigger than 4 without counting at all.

How do children learn to compare numbers?

Step What your child does Example
Comparing by looking Sees which pile looks bigger Two very different handfuls
Matching Pairs items one-to-one; leftovers mean more Line up cups and spoons
Counting Counts both groups, compares the numbers "You have 5, I have 3"
Knowing the order Knows 8 comes after 6, so 8 is bigger Number line, card battle

Which comparing games need no screen?

  1. Handful grab. Each of you grabs a handful of blocks. Line them up side by side. Whose line is longer? Count to check.
  2. Card battle. Use number cards from 1 to 10. Each flips a card. The bigger number wins both cards. Ties are a "snap!"
  3. Partner up. Put out some cups and some spoons. Give each cup a spoon. Are there more cups or more spoons, or the same?
  4. Number-line race. Roll a die, move a toy along a chalk number line. Whose toy is further along?
  5. Tower check. Build two towers. Which is taller? How many blocks taller?

How does Which Is Bigger? in SillyCam work?

  1. Which Is Bigger? floats two numbers above your child's head, each sitting over a little pile of that many stars, ladybugs or flowers, with three growing blocks between them to show what the question is asking. Your child taps the bigger number on the number pad.
  • Right answer: the bigger number grows and bounces, the smaller one shrinks a little, and Dandelion or Sprout cheers.
  • Wrong answer: puzzled question marks pop up and both numbers stay put for another try.
  • After two misses: both piles are counted together, one thing at a time, so the smaller pile visibly runs out first.

That hint is the "matching" step from the table above, played out on screen.

How do I help my child say more and fewer?

  • Use the words a lot. "You have more grapes. I have fewer." Hearing both words helps.
  • Ask both ways. "Which is bigger?" then "Which is smaller?"
  • Try the same. Make two equal groups sometimes, so "the same" becomes a real answer.

Try it tonight

  1. Give your child some grapes and take some yourself.
  2. Ask "Who has more?" Let them guess.
  3. Line both groups up so each grape has a partner. Who has leftovers?
  4. Count both groups and say it: "Seven is more than five."

Questions parents ask

How do you teach comparing numbers to kindergartners?

Start with two groups of objects lined up side by side, so the longer row is easy to see. Then count each group and connect the bigger count to the longer row. After that, move to comparing numbers on cards or a number line.

When should children learn the greater-than and less-than signs?

There is no rush. Kindergartners usually compare numbers with words like more, fewer and the same. The < and > symbols are typically introduced later, often in first grade.

Why does my child think a spread-out row has more?

Young children often judge by how much space a group takes up. Lining both groups up so each item has a partner, or counting both, shows that spreading things out does not change how many there are.

What numbers should a kindergartner compare?

Kindergarten usually focuses on comparing numbers from 1 to 10, and comparing groups of objects up to about 10.

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