Mar 21, 2025
Ordering objects is a powerful and hands-on way to help children grasp the idea that numbers follow a specific sequence, with each number representing "one more" than the one before. This foundational understanding builds their number sense and prepares them for more complex math concepts later on.
By offering children lots of opportunities to practice ordering, whether with physical objects, through games, or in daily routines, you’re providing them with the tools to understand and engage with numbers in a deeper way. This early practice in sequencing and counting will give them a strong foundation for tackling addition, subtraction, and even multiplication as they grow. So, you’re not just teaching them how to count—you’re helping them see the patterns that make math logical and fun!
Arranging everyday items from smallest to largest helps children develop their understanding of size comparison, sequencing, and organisation. It also reinforces the concept of order and provides them with opportunities to practice using words like “small,” “medium,” and “large.”
Lay out a variety of soft toys of different sizes—such as a small teddy bear, a medium-sized stuffed bunny, and a large stuffed elephant. Ask your child to arrange them from smallest to largest.
Encourage your child to describe the toys as they arrange them, using terms like “smaller,” “bigger,” “tiny,” or “huge.” You can also introduce more specific vocabulary, such as “shorter” and “taller,” depending on the toys’ shapes.
Introduce the concept of length, and let your child arrange items such as pieces of string, or sticks, in order from shortest to longest. Let your child arrange family members in order of height. If you have a ruler, tape measure or measuring tape, shown how these can be used to help us to measure length and why this is useful.