Go on a Length Hunt
Before kids learn to use standard tools, such as a ruler to measure length and height, it is helpful to introduce them to non-standard measuring tools. These can be anything from their own feet and hands to pencils, pennies, or a length of string. You can measure with anything as long as you use the same unit of measure.
Before You Play
Walk around your home, and talk with your child about how things come in different sizes. For example, point to a book and ask your child questions like, “Can you find another book that is smaller than this one? Can you find one that is bigger?” You can do this activity with many items: pieces of furniture, cups, boxes of cereal, canned goods, etc.
Materials
Directions
Cut a piece of string into five different lengths, none longer than a foot. Tip: You can also use yarn, ribbon, or strips of paper.
Choose one of the pieces of string for your measuring tool.
Ask your child to help you look around the house and find something that is about the same size as the string. When you find something, hold the piece of string up to it. Ask your child, “Is it the same size as the string?” If not, ask, “Is it shorter or longer than the piece of string?”
Ask your child to choose a piece of string and identify an object to measure. When measuring the object, help your child to place one end of the string exactly at the end of the object before extending the string to the other side. Explain that measurements need to be precise or you won’t actually be able to see which object is longer.
After you’ve measured some items around the house, gather three of them and put them next to each other on a table. Ask your child to put them in order from smallest to biggest. Which item is biggest? Which is smallest?
Math