Here's a breakdown:

* Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space.

* Elements are the simplest pure substances that cannot be broken down further by chemical means. Examples include oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon.

* Compounds are formed when two or more different elements chemically combine in a fixed ratio. Examples include water (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and table salt (NaCl).

So, compounds are essentially building blocks of matter! They're made up of elements, and in turn, make up the complex materials we see around us, from the air we breathe to the food we eat.