Criterion facts for kids

A criterion (say: cry-TEER-ee-un) is like a rule or a standard that helps you decide or judge something. When you have more than one rule, you call them criteria (say: cry-TEER-ee-uh).

For example, if you are choosing a new pet, your criteria might be:

• It must be friendly.
• It must be easy to take care of.
• It must not be too big.

These are your criteria for picking the best pet!

Places and Things Named Criterion

Sometimes, "Criterion" is used as a name for different places or things.

Criterion in the United States

• Criterion, Oregon: This is a small, old community in the state of Oregon. It's not a big city, but it has a history.
• Criterion Summit: Also in Oregon, this is a mountain pass. A mountain pass is a low point between mountains that people can travel through.
• Criterion Wind Project: This is a wind farm in Maryland. Wind farms use large wind turbines to make electricity from the wind. It's a way to create clean energy.

Criterion in England

• Criterion Place: This was a plan for a very tall building, a skyscraper, in West Yorkshire, England.
• Criterion Restaurant: This is a famous restaurant in London, England. It has been around for a long time.
• Criterion Stakes: This is a special horse race that happens in Newmarket, England. Horse racing is a popular sport there.

Criterion in Science and Learning

"Criterion" is also an important word in science and how we learn.

Air Quality Criteria

• Criteria air contaminants: These are specific air pollutants that can harm our health and the environment. They cause things like smog (hazy air) and acid rain. Governments set rules, or criteria, for how much of these pollutants can be in the air to keep us safe.

Tests and Learning

• Criterion-referenced test: Imagine you take a test in school. If it's a criterion-referenced test, your score shows how well you know a specific skill or topic. It's not about how you compare to other students. For example, if the criterion is "can add two-digit numbers," the test shows if you can do that, not if you're better than your classmates.

Criterion in Entertainment

You might also hear "Criterion" when talking about music, movies, or video games!

Music and Movies

• Criteria (band): This is an indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, in the United States. They make their own kind of rock music.
• Criteria Studios: This is a famous place in Miami, Florida, where musicians go to record their songs. Many popular artists have recorded music there.
• The Criterion Collection: This company makes special, high-quality versions of important movies. They are known for their great picture and sound, and they often include extra features like interviews with the directors. It's like getting a collector's edition of your favorite film.

Video Games

• Criterion Games: This is a company that makes video games. They are located in Guildford, England. They are well-known for creating exciting racing games, like the Burnout series, and have also worked on other popular games.

See also

In Spanish: Criterio para niños

• Criterium: This is a type of bicycle race that is usually held on a short course, often in a city or town.
• Information criterion (disambiguation)
• Criterion Theatre (disambiguation)