1. Pick one concept to target at first
- biggest, smallest, hottest, coldest, tallest, shortest, etc.
2. Make sure they know the root adjective first (like big and small)
2. Compare three identical objects except for that adjective
- Cut out shapes from one color of paper in different sizes
- Get three identical rice bags and warm them to different temperatures
- Take a picture of a person on a computer and resize him to different heights
Place one set of three in front of the child and have him point to the one that fits the superlative. Do this with multiple sets of three and switch the order that you present them in (sometimes the shortest on the left, sometimes on the right).
3. Have the child label the superlative expressively
Pull out one set from before and point to the one in the middle. Say “this one is ___ (use the root adjective)” Then, point to the one that fits the superlative and say “but this one is the…” and help the child say the superlative to finish the sentence. For example, say “This one is short. But this one is the…” (shortest)
