Learning to use ‘big’ and ‘little’

Why is this important?
‘Big’ and ‘little’ are important opposites. They form the building blocks of more abstract concept development and give children a means to describe the world around them. They are often amongst the earliest adjectives (describing words) that children learn. Usually ‘big’ is learned before ‘little’.

What to do

• Gather together: A selection of objects – one ‘big’ and one ‘little’ (e.g. ‘big’ cup and ‘little’ cup;

‘big’ pencil and ‘little’ pencil).

• Explain that you are going to take it in turns to tidy up and put the things away into a box /bag.
• Put out a pair of items (e.g. two cups, one ‘big’ and one ‘little’).Tell the child to find the ‘big cup’. Put it in the box.
• Ask the child:

Adult: ‘What did you put in the box?’
Child: ‘Big (cup)’.

• Point to the remaining cup:

Adult: ‘What shall I put in the box?’
Child: ‘Little (cup)’.

• During outdoor play, ask the child to jump into a ‘big’/‘little’ hoop. ‘Step up’ by asking: ‘Which hoop are you in?’
• There are numerous opportunities throughout the day for teaching ‘big’ and ‘little’ – laying the table (‘big’ spoon, ‘little’ spoon), matching shoes etc.