Greater than less than is how children learn to compare numbers, and a hungry crocodile makes it memorable. The crocodile always wants the bigger amount, so its open mouth points to the bigger number: 7 > 3. This page starts where every child should start, with real amounts. First your child compares two groups of dots. Then they pick the bigger of two numbers from 1 to 10. Finally, for ages 5-6, they choose the sign that fits: >, < or =. After each right answer the crocodile turns its mouth to the bigger side, and the voice says "Seven is greater than three" and सात, तीन से बड़ा है. It is free and works in any browser.
What your child learns about comparing numbers
India's NIPUN Bharat goals for Balvatika (age 5-6) say children "compare two groups in terms of number of objects and use words like more than/less than/equal to". Singapore's kindergarten guide adds that "more than" should come before "fewer than", and US kindergarten and UK Reception ask children to compare numbers to 10. Written signs usually come in Class 1. The game follows this order:
- More and less with dots. "Which side has more?" Children can see and count the answer. This is the real meaning behind every sign.
- The bigger number. "Which number is bigger?" The child now uses number sense: 8 is more than 5 because it comes later when counting.
- The signs. > means greater than, < means less than, and = means equal to. The mouth opens to the bigger number.
How to play the crocodile game
Dots: "The crocodile wants more dots. Which side has more?"
Two groups of dots appear on either side. Your child taps the side with more. Small groups (up to 4 or 5) can be seen at a glance; bigger groups need counting. Encourage your child to count both sides aloud if they are not sure.
Numbers: "The hungry crocodile eats the bigger number. Which one?"
Two numbers from 1 to 10 appear. Your child taps the bigger one. After the answer, the crocodile turns towards it with its mouth wide open.
Signs: choose >, < or =
Two numbers appear with a question mark between them, such as 4 ? 9. Your child chooses >, < or =. The rule is always the same: the mouth opens to the bigger number. When both numbers are the same, the crocodile cannot choose, so we use the equal sign (=). This tab is best for ages 5-6 and Class 1.
The game never says "wrong". A wrong tap first gets a gentle hint, then the right answer glows, then Golu points to it. After four to eight rounds, depending on the age in Settings, a marble rolls into the Goli Jar and a real-world mission appears. Press 🔊 to hear the question again, and use the अ+A button to hear Hindi first, English first, or only one language.
Teaching greater than and less than by age
| Age | What is realistic | Best tab and home activity |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 years | Sees "more" in small groups (up to 3). Says "more" but not yet "less". | Real toys only: "Who has more biscuits?" |
| 4-5 years (LKG) | Compares groups up to 5 by looking and counting. Uses more and less. | Dots tab. Two plates of peanuts or grapes. |
| 5-6 years (UKG) | Compares numbers to 10 and says "greater than" and "less than". Starts "equal". | Numbers tab, then Signs tab. Card game with number cards. |
| 6-7 years (Class 1) | Writes >, < and = between numbers, later up to 99. | Signs tab as a warm-up, then written practice. |
Short and often works best: five to ten minutes, then real objects. Sit together and talk about each answer. For children under two, real things and your voice beat any screen.
How to remember greater than and less than: the crocodile trick and more
Children (and many adults) forget which way the signs go. Here are tricks that work, from youngest to oldest:
- The hungry crocodile. The crocodile's open mouth always faces the bigger number, because it wants to eat more. This is the trick used in the game, and in many classrooms it is called the alligator trick.
- Big side, small side. The sign is wide open on one side and a small point on the other. The wide side faces the big number, the point faces the small number.
- Read from left to right. For Class 1: if the sign starts wide on the left (>), you say "greater than". If it starts with the point (<), you say "less than". The less than sign looks a little like a tilted L, for "less".
- Equal means balanced. Two lines the same length (=) mean both sides are the same. Link this to a balanced seesaw.
In Hindi, greater than is से बड़ा (se bada), less than is से छोटा (se chhota) and equal to is बराबर (baraabar). So 7 > 3 is सात, तीन से बड़ा है, and 2 < 6 is दो, छह से छोटा है. Some Hindi-medium books say से अधिक and से कम; they mean the same.
Greater than less than activities at home
- Snack compare. Put 3 grapes on one plate and 5 on another. "Which plate has more?" Let your child eat from the plate that has less until they are equal, and say "Now they are equal, बराबर."
- Paper crocodile. Cut a V-shaped crocodile mouth from paper. Write two numbers on cards and let your child place the mouth facing the bigger one.
- Card game (war). Use number cards from 1 to 10. Each player turns over a card; the bigger number wins both cards. For equal cards, both players say "equal!"
- Market maths. At the sabzi market, compare prices or counts: "Five tomatoes or three onions, which is more?"
- Dice and buttons. Roll two dice, one each. Count the dots and say who has more. Then say it the maths way: "Six is greater than two."
Greater than less than worksheet and chart
There is no PDF, but you can print this page from your browser. The age table and the tricks above make a simple greater than less than chart for a classroom wall. For a quick comparing numbers worksheet, write five pairs of numbers from 1 to 10 with a gap between them, and ask your child to draw a crocodile mouth or a sign in each gap. Start with pairs far apart (2 and 9) before close pairs (6 and 7).
When comparing numbers feels hard
If your child keeps picking the number that looks bigger on screen, or the one on the left, go back to the Dots tab: real amounts make the idea clear. Praise the counting ("you counted both sides"), not speed. Children with autism may like the steady crocodile rule and the same sentence after each round; turn on calm motion and fewer choices in Settings if the animation is too much. For speech delay, let your child point and show the number with fingers before saying it. If your child is frustrated, stop and play with real snacks instead. If you are worried about your child's development, talk to your paediatrician.
Comparing builds on counting 1 to 10 and before and after numbers, because the number that comes after is always greater. After this, try addition for kids with pictures. For comparing without numbers, the big and small game and long and short for kids are good warm-ups.
