Tips on how to use this exercise at home and at school.
Early math concepts
In the previous exercise, the child recognized situations where there were more or fewer pictures/objects. Now he/she will create these groups of pictures/objects according to the instructions. In this way, he/she will demonstrate an understanding of the situation when making comparisons. If there is less than 1 in one group of objects, there will be more than 1 in the other group. In this exercise, she works with several objects up to 5.
Why is this exercise important?
When comparing quantities, the child has to use their experience and knowledge with the concepts of more/less. This exercise introduces the concept of more than/less than. This correlation is the basis for later understanding the relationships between numbers (the number 5 is 2 more than 3 and conversely the number 3 is 2 less than 5).
Who is the exercise suitable for?
In general, it belongs in preschool or at the beginning of school. In addition to number concepts, and reasoning assumptions, it simultaneously develops language skills.
Methodological recommendations
We can only proceed to the exercise when we are sure the child understands the relationships more/less.
The child may initially have difficulty in finding out in which frame there should be which number of pictures. In this case, we allow them to listen to the instruction again.
If still unable, offer the child to make the same number of pictures in both groups and then listen to the instruction again.
Invite the child to think aloud. This will help to improve comprehension as well as relieve working memory.
Tips for similar activities outside the app
Split the candy into two piles. Divide them so that the child has 1 less candy than you. Who has more candy on their pile? You or they? And by how much?
We can also practice the relationship between higher and lower on the stairs (Who is 1 step higher than you? Who stands lower than you by 2 steps? Now stand so that you are 1 step lower than me. What do you have to do?).
Tell a child to make a building with blocks taller or lower than yours. Later, ask the child to adjust the buildings to be the same height and ask what they must do to make it happen.
