The first step to teaching children about measuring is to set up a situation where they can measure. Did you know that it’s also important for them to understand the units of measurement? Once they understand what each type of unit looks like and how it feels, then we can start! In this article, we will talk about six different activities that you can introduce your child (or students) to the concept of measuring with measurements.
1. Using a Ruler to Measure the Length of Different Objects
This is a great way to start off teaching children about measurements. Have them measure the length of different objects in their house or around the room. You can even get creative and have them measure things like how long their arm is or how tall they are! Make sure that you talk about each unit of measurement that you are using. For example, when they measure the length of an object with a ruler, it will be in inches or centimeters.
2. Baking
One of the favorite ways to teach children about measurements is by having them help you in the kitchen. Baking is a great way to introduce them to fractions and different units of measurement. Have them help you scoop out ingredients, stir, and measure. This will help make baking more fun for them, and they will be able to see how each step in the recipe uses a different measurement.
You can also use baking to teach them about temperature. For example, if you are making chocolate chip cookies and want them to be soft and chewy, you will need to bake them at a lower temperature than if you want them to be crispy. Talk with your child about what each number on the oven means.
3. Cooking
Just like baking, cooking is a great way to teach children about measurements. Have them help you chop vegetables, measure out spices, and add ingredients. This will help them learn how to read recipes and understand the different steps involved in making a dish. If you are making a meal that requires different units of measurements, like grams or ounces, have them help weigh and measure these items.
4. Yardwork
If you are looking for a way to teach children about measurements that is a little bit more hands-on, try yard work! Have them help you rake leaves, weed the garden, or water the plants. The activity will allow them to see how volume and weight measurements are used in the real world. You can also talk to them about what each number on the measuring tape means.
5. Estimating Circumference of an Apple
By using a string or a piece of paper, have your child measure the circumference of an apple. Help them understand that they are not measuring the exact length, but estimating it. Talk about how they can use their fingers to help them estimate the size and then measure it with the string or paper. This is a great way to introduce estimation skills to children.
6. Frog Jump
Obviously, children love to jump, so why not turn this into a learning activity? Have your child measure the distance of their frog jumps. You can even make it more challenging by having them try to jump further each time. Record their best jump and then have them try to beat it! This is a great way to introduce competition and measurement skills.
