Size words: how the skill grows from 18 to 36 months
Size words means understanding and using words such as big, little, long, short, full and empty. Size words let a child compare and describe, and they come up naturally with nesting cups, shoes and food.
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Size words: the ladder, step by step
Pick the step that looks most like your child today. The next step and activities that practise it appear below.
No step picked yet. There is no wrong answer: pick the closest one.
Next step: Picks the big one. Chooses the big ball when you ask for it.
Activities that fit this step
- Big Cup, Little Cup Bath Pour · 14–26 months · 5–10 min
- Big Sock, Little Sock Sort · 18–28 months · 5–10 min
- Which Hole Fits? · 18–28 months · 5–10 min
Next step: Picks the little one. Chooses the little cup when you ask, a harder request than big.
Activities that fit this step
- Big Sock, Little Sock Sort · 18–28 months · 5–10 min
- Which Hole Fits? · 18–28 months · 5–10 min
- Block Bed for Teddy · 19–28 months · 5–12 min
Next step: Uses size words. Says "big!" about a truck or "little" about a bug.
Activities that fit this step
- Which Lid Fits? Container Match · 20–30 months · 5–10 min
- Tall Tower, Short Tower · 22–32 months · 5–12 min
- Drying-Rack Unbreakables Put-Away · 24–34 months · 5–10 min
Next step: Compares. Says "this one bigger" or holds two shoes side by side.
Activities that fit this step
- Drying-Rack Unbreakables Put-Away · 24–34 months · 5–10 min
- Long Stick, Short Stick · 24–34 months · 8–15 min
- Melting Color Ice Pucks · 27–36 months · 8–15 min
Top of the ladder (compares). Keep it flexible: offer it in a new place, with a different person or with new materials.
Activities that fit this step
- Long Stick, Short Stick · 24–34 months · 8–15 min
- Melting Color Ice Pucks · 27–36 months · 8–15 min
- Three Jars, Three Lids · 28–36 months · 5–10 min
The size words ladder
5 steps from the first sign to a flexible skill, covered here from 18 to 36 months. Children move at their own pace: use the steps to see what comes next, not as deadlines.
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Hears size words
Listens as you say "big ball, little ball" while playing.
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Picks the big one
Chooses the big ball when you ask for it.
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Picks the little one
Chooses the little cup when you ask, a harder request than big.
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Uses size words
Says "big!" about a truck or "little" about a bug.
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Compares
Says "this one bigger" or holds two shoes side by side.
When size words usually shows up
Size words are not a CDC checklist item. Understanding "big" and "little" often comes around age 2; using them and comparing two things ("bigger") usually follows in the third year.
This page follows size words from 18 to 36 months, a window that spans the 18-month, 24-month, 30-month and 36-month CDC checklists.
In the library, 10 activities practise size words (4 as their main skill), for ages 14 to 36 months. 2 of them need no prep and take 10 minutes or less. By age, they sit closest to steps 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the 5-step ladder.
Activities that practise size words
Placed on the closest ladder step by age. By primary domain: 6 early concepts, 1 cognitive, 1 creativity & pretend, 1 fine motor and 1 practical life. Quickest to start: Big Cup, Little Cup Bath Pour (5–10 minutes).
Step 1: Hears size words
Step 2: Picks the big one
Step 3: Picks the little one
Step 4: Uses size words
Skills practised alongside
The activities for size words most often also work on sorting (3), building and constructing (2), household helping (2), matching (2) and problem solving (2). Pairing them keeps practice playful: one activity, several skills.
Practise it inside everyday routines
- Use size words in daily life: "your little shoes, my big shoes".
- Nest measuring cups or bowls from big to little together.
- Compare pairs on walks: a big dog and a little dog, a long stick and a short one.
What to avoid
- Quizzing "which is bigger?" all day; describe more than you ask.
When to mention it to the pediatrician
Size words are not a milestone by themselves. If your child seems to understand few everyday words by 2, or you have other questions about language, raise that with the pediatrician.
Worried about size words between visits? Call the pediatrician; CDC's free resources also explain how to contact your local Early Intervention program directly. Milestones are for monitoring, not diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
When do toddlers start size words?
Size words are not a CDC checklist item. Understanding "big" and "little" often comes around age 2; using them and comparing two things ("bigger") usually follows in the third year. The first step to look for: listens as you say "big ball, little ball" while playing.
How can I help my toddler with size words?
Use size words in daily life: "your little shoes, my big shoes". Nest measuring cups or bowls from big to little together. A good first activity is Big Cup, Little Cup Bath Pour (14–26 months).
What should I avoid when practising size words?
Quizzing "which is bigger?" all day; describe more than you ask.
When should I mention size words to the pediatrician?
Size words are not a milestone by themselves. If your child seems to understand few everyday words by 2, or you have other questions about language, raise that with the pediatrician. You can also contact Early Intervention yourself.
Related
Monitoring, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about any concern. Our sources and method.