Two experiments investigated preschool children's use of the words "big" and "little" in three different ways (normative, perceptual, and functional) and in different contexts. The first experiment tested the sensitivity of 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds to relational standards by asking them to judge an object's size in relation to different-sized objects. In this experiment, the children accurately judged an object's size according to a stored mental (normative) standard and also made accurate perceptual judgments when presented with a comparison. No age differences were found. The second experiment set up a conflict between normative and functional standards and required each child to judge an object's size both by itself and in relation to a particular function (use by dolls of different sizes). Children in all age groups performed above the chance level, and performance improved with age. In addition, children of all ages judged the size of the doll's clothing more accurately than tools for the dolls' use. (MSE)