Measurement involves comparing sizes, weights, lengths, and quantities. For toddlers, measurement begins with understanding concepts like big and small, more and less, heavy and light. These concepts form the foundation for later mathematical measurement skills.
Through hands-on measurement activities, children develop vocabulary for describing size and quantity, learn to make comparisons, and begin to understand that objects can be measured and compared. These activities make measurement concepts concrete and meaningful.
Compare sizes of objects to develop understanding of relative size and measurement vocabulary.
Compare objects: "Which is bigger?" "Which is smaller?" Sort objects by size. Use vocabulary: big, small, bigger, smaller, biggest, smallest. This builds size concepts and vocabulary.
Explore weight through hands-on comparison, developing understanding of heavy and light.
Lift objects and compare: "Which feels heavier?" Use a simple balance scale. Sort objects by weight. Use vocabulary: heavy, light, heavier, lighter. This builds weight concepts.
Compare lengths and heights to develop understanding of measurement concepts.
Compare lengths: "Which string is longer?" Measure with non-standard units: "How many blocks tall?" Compare heights: "Who is taller?" This builds length and height concepts.
Explore volume and capacity through pouring and filling activities.
Pour water or sand into different containers. Compare: "Which holds more?" Fill and empty containers. Use vocabulary: full, empty, more, less. This builds volume and capacity concepts.
Begin to notice size differences. Understand "big" and "small" in familiar contexts. May prefer larger objects.
Compare sizes more accurately. Understand "more" and "less." Begin to compare weights and lengths with guidance.
Make accurate size, weight, and length comparisons. Use measurement vocabulary correctly. Begin to understand that objects can be measured. These skills support mathematical thinking.