The ability to accurately observe, measure and use the resulting information is a basic competency at the root of many STEM skills. By encouraging young children to experiment with these concepts and incorporate their findings into their play, you are encouraging the development of this skill, as well as their creativity and initiative. When combined with adult guidance, young children can grasp concepts such as bigger/smaller, longer/shorter, heavier/lighter, and use them as part of their daily experiments with the world around them. Measurement is also included in the Colorado Preschool Academic Standards
Audience
This kit will allow library staff to present play-based, interactive programs on measurement for young children, ages 3 to 7. However, consideration should also be given to adult caregivers bringing the children to your programs.
Contents
- 2 sets Keva Planks
- 2 Weight and Mass Kits
- 4 Children’s Tape Measures
- Set of 4 stuffed dog toys
- Set of 6 plastic dinosaurs
- Set of 14 African safari plastic animals
- 1 copy of each of the following books:
- How Tall Was a T.Rex? By Alison Limentani
- Measuring Penny by Loreen Leedy
- Ants Rule: The Long and Short of It by Bob Barner
- How Heavy? by Mark Weakland
- Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni
- Me and the Measure of Things by Joan Sweeney
- 2 Height charts
- 4 18” rulers
- 2 60-inch fabric tape measures
Resources
- This is Big Big Big
- Itsy Bitsy Spider / Great Big Spider
- Is It Heavy or Light?
- One Elephant Went Out to Play
- Measuring Up! Measurement in the Preschool Classroom – Development and Research in Early Mathematics Education (DREME)
- What Children Know and Need to Know about Measurement and Estimation – Development and Research in Early Mathematics Education (DREME)
- Introducing Measurement in the Early Years | Comparison | Units| Ruth Merttens – This video is from England, so some of the words and phrases may be different than American terms, but it provides a good overview of the process of teaching measurement to young children.
- What’s So “Big” about Measurement Concepts for Young Children? – Erikson Institute Early Math Collaborative
Inspiration
- STEM Challenge: Linear Measurement – Pinterest
- STEM Challenge: Weight Measurement – Pinteresst
- 10 Hands-On Measurement Activities for Preschoolers – Empowered Parents
- Pre-K Math: Sizes & Measurement – Prekinders
- Children’s Books About Measuring – PBS Kids
- Bringing Bay Area Discovery Museum to You: One Foot Wonders
- Math and Literacy—The Perfect Pair – National Association for the Education of Young Children