Before you measure, you compare. Two sticks, two ribbons — line them up. The longer one sticks out. The shorter one falls short.
Comparison vocabulary
- Longer / shorter — direct comparison
- Same length — they line up exactly
- Twice as long — one fits twice into the other
- Three times as long — three of one equals one of the other
Comparison without numbers is the gateway. Once kids can compare, units come naturally.