Comparing prices, page numbers, scores and measurements gives useful practice with the size and order of numbers. The purpose is to notice what each digit means, not simply to guess which number looks larger.

Try one comparison at a time

Use two numbers that arise naturally. Ask the child to read both numbers and decide which is greater or smaller. Then ask how they know.

For example, compare £2.75 and £2.57. Look at the pounds first. Because these are equal, compare the 10p digits (the tenths) and then the 1p digits (the hundredths). With whole numbers such as 348 and 384, compare the hundreds before moving to the tens.

A number line or place-value chart (columns for hundreds, tens, ones, tenths and hundredths) from school can stay in view. If the child is unsure, place or build both numbers before deciding.

Check the comparison

Confirm the decision in a second way:

• locate both numbers on a number line;

• build them with coins or the counters school uses;

• relate a price to £3;

• check whether a measurement is closer to one familiar amount than another.

Avoid teaching a rule such as “the longer number is bigger”. It doesn’t work with decimals. For example, 0.5 is bigger than 0.25.

Step back

Model the comparison once, complete another together and then let the child lead. Ask for an explanation before correcting an error. If the same mix-up keeps appearing, note an example and share it with school so home and school can show numbers in the same way.

A useful free resource

National Numeracy’s Family Maths Toolkit contains practical activities that connect maths with everyday life. You need to give an email address to get them. Choose an activity that matches what school is currently teaching rather than trying to cover several skills at once.

Talamo has no commercial relationship with any of the organisations named here. We suggest them only because we think they could be useful to families.