Along with stories, verses, and colorful artwork, you and your child will discover valuable math concepts throughout this issue of Babybug. As you explore the selections together, watch for words like tall, long, little, big, bigger, and even enormous. They’re words that add both richness and accuracy to your child’s understanding of size, paving the way to complex notions such as measuring, comparing, and ordering.

Fortunately, young children have a natural interest in understanding size. Big and little is something children think of in terms of their own experience. In fact, some toddlers will refer to a “mommy block” and a “baby block”--or a “daddy cookie” and a “baby cookie”--when pointing out size.

Even though most children don’t begin to use size words until after age two, you can help your baby become aware of what these words mean. Use the words big and little at the same time whenever you can, since size is relative. The word big is easier to understand if you use it to point out something that is bigger than your child and little when it’s smaller.  It also helps to talk about objects that are very much alike when you’re making size comparisons. In “High Five,” your child can first look at little hands and big hands in pictures and then try comparing his hands to yours.  

Try speaking in a big voice when pointing out a big item and a little voice for a little one. It adds greatly to your child’s understanding and is fun to do.  It’s hearing the words while enjoying the experience that matters, even in everyday play experiences. Have you ever seen a determined toddler try to cram a teddy bear into the driver’s seat of a tiny dump truck? Or noticed your child clomping through the house wearing a grown-up’s big shoes on her little feet? Toddlers seem to be conducting ongoing inquiries into size. When you describe their actions using size words, you’re helping them think about their discoveries.

To learn about math concepts like size, babies and toddlers don’t need expensive or complicated toys. But they do need time to play, a safe place in which to explore, and a loving person to talk with about what they’re doing.