Which is bigger?

The number you say later when counting is always the bigger one.

The question

Which is bigger — 6 or 9?

The trick

Count out loud. Whichever number you reach later is the bigger one. Every time, no exceptions.

Worked example

1Start counting: one, two, three, four, five, six…
2You said 6 first, so keep going: seven, eight, nine.
39 came later, so 9 is bigger.

So: 9

Remember it like this

Later in the song means bigger in the world. The number that waits longer to be called is the bigger one.

In the exam

With real objects it is even clearer. Put 6 marbles in one hand and 9 in the other and let your child feel the difference before naming it.

Why it works

Counting order and size are the same thing, and a child already knows the order. This turns a comparison — which is hard — into recalling a song, which is easy.

Explain this to my childGet the words to teach it, in your language

Try it yourself

0/3 correct

1
Which is bigger — 3 or 8?
2
Which is bigger — 12 or 7?
3
Which is smaller — 5 or 2?