Teaching “Comparing and Contrasting” Skills to Children

What are “Comparing and Contrasting” Skills?

For this skill, we will help children identify when things are the same or different. Then, we’ll help them
describe how two items are similar or different by comparing and contrasting aspects about those items.

Sample Therapy Goal for Comparing and Contrasting:

When presented with two stories, experiences, or perspectives, Client will tell two ways that they are similar and two ways that they are different on 4 of 5 observed opportunities.

How to do Language Therapy to Teach Comparing and Contrasting:

Here’s how we would break this skill down into a step-by-step plan for teaching a child to compare and contrast.  Keep in mind that younger children may not need to go through all six of these phases.

1. Same or Different (Identical): When shown two identical images, Client will identify if two pictures are the same or different.
2. Same or Different (Not Identical): When shown two images that represent the same thing but look different (such as two pictures of different dogs), Client will identify if the two pictures represent the same concept or different concepts.
3. How are they Similar: When two objects are named, Client will name at least two ways that they are similar when given possible similarities, such as “category, function, parts, appearance,” etc.
4. Comparing and Contrasting Objects: When two objects are named, Client will name two ways that they are similar and two ways that they are different.
5. Distinguishing Shades of Meaning: When given two words with similar meanings (such as “dirty” and “filthy”), Client will tell how the meanings are similar and how they are different.
6. Comparing and Contrasting Stories, Experiences, and Perspectives: When presented with two stories, experiences, or perspectives, Client will tell two ways that they are similar and two ways that they are different.

Pre-Made Lessons for Comparing and Contrasting:

Looking for a no-prep therapy kit for this skill?  We have one that goes through each of these phases.  You can access it inside our membership Hub.  Not a member yet?  Try it out for a week and get access to all of our no-prep therapy kits along with training videos, courses, and chat support.

Hi, I’m Carrie! I’m a speech-language pathologist from Columbia, Missouri, USA. I’ve worked with children and teenagers of all ages in schools, preschools, and even my own private practice. I love digging through the research on speech and language topics and breaking it down into step-by-step plans for my followers. I graduated from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO with a masters degree in Communication Disorders.

Fun Fact: I have been to the ASHA Convention several times, including twice in Boston. Did you see me? My booth in 2023 was right next to the Peachie Speechie booth with all of her fun t-shirts. I had a blast getting to meet so many of my followers face-to-face! Working online makes it difficult to feel connected to my customers so it was nice to see all of you!

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