Measurement Games for Kindergarteners

What is “measurement”?

The formal mathematics for kindergartners begins with the introduction of the number system. With the knowledge of counting from 1 to 10, kids learn about other skills. The most versatile and useful techniques for teaching math is through pictures in kindergarten.

Measurement definition at this level is:

“A number which tell the size, weight or amount of any object”. The object can be solid or liquid.

The measurement skills for kindergarten cover the basic aspects of physical quantities. These quantities are length, height, weight, capacity, sorting and arranging.

Types of measurement:

 

Figure: Different types of measurement

Math Games for learning about measurement: Kindergarten

Learning & outcome

 

Measurement games for kindergarten level from SplashLearn are acknowledged for their assimilation. Easy games aim at introducing kids to measure physical quantities such as length or height. Also, skills are developed to arrange random objects around them on the basis of color, shape, size, capacity etc.

 

Projected outcomes of the learning are:

• Familiarity with ruler and its use to measure object’s length
• Understanding of height chart and using numbers till 10 or more
• Practical application of the measurement concepts at the beginner level
• Learning about regular shapes, colors, size and capacity
• Using measurement instruments such as scales, tape, charts and pictures

 

Required math skills

 

For kindergarten, required math skills are observatory. An exposure to regular shapes and counting from 1 to 10 is enough. Understanding of colors and motor skills to hold instruments like ruler, cups, glass and other objects is required.

Engagement

 

 

Kindergarten measurement games are the beginning of basic math. It allows your kid to understand the math aspects through easy-to-play fun games. SplashLearn exercises make them confident and curious about knowing and classifying things around them. Developed as per core math standards, fun games are designed to train your kid to be first in math.

 

Level-by-level progression for measurement

Kindergarten is the foundation and early stage for kids to learn math. SplashLearn has identified little things around them to introduce the basic concepts. Your kid can pick color names, type of shapes and identify basic dimensions. These skills include identification of small and big with objects. It can be pencils, color crayons, chair, candies, ice-cream, fruits and other food items.

Based on these skills, kids learn about measuring length, height, weight and capacity. As the kids are familiar with the concept, they learn about the instruments which are used to measure these physical quantities.

In later grades, units of measurement to measure physical quantities are introduced.

Types of measurement:

1. Length measurement:

What is “length”: Length is the space or gap between two points. Also, it is the longest side of an object. The space between these two points can be measured using instruments like a ruler, inch-tape or others with unit markings.

For example –

• My coloring pen is smaller than writing pencil
• Stella’s book is longer than Jane’s book.

Reference image

Unit markings on the instruments are as follows:

• Milimeter (mm), Centimeter (cm), Inches (In)
• Foot (ft), Yard, Mile

Terms to remember:

• Long
• Short/small

Instruments to use:

Kids can use a standard ruler of 15 cm or 30 cm in length to measure the dimension “length”. Other instruments are measuring tape and ribbon with markings on it.

Reference image: Ruler

Application:

The physical quantity “length” is useful in determining how long an object is. For example, how far a frog can jump. How long my coloring pencil measures or how long the notebook’s side measures. Kids can find out which side is long or short/small with the help of a ruler.

2. Height measurement

What is “height”? : Height is the measurement of length from head-to-toe or base-to-top. Height can be measured in suitable unit markings on instruments.

For ex,

• John is taller than Luther. His height is more than Luther.
• Or, Luther is shorter than John. His height is less than John.

Terms to remember:

• Long, tall
• Small, short

                

Reference image

Unit markings on the height charts are as follows:

• Milimeter (mm), Centimeter (cm), Inches (In)
• Foot (ft), Yard, Mile

Instruments to use:

Height measurement instruments are height charts. They can be pasted on the wall. Height can also be determined with measuring tape with markings in centimeter and inches on it.

Application:

The physical quantity “height” is used in finding which object is taller than the other. Height can be measured when the objects are placed on a flat surface. This surface can be floor or table.

For example, what is your kid’s height? How tall your older kid is than the younger one? Engage your kids in height measurement with picture-based height charts.

3. Weight and volume

What is “weight”?:  The measurement amount required to weigh a solid object determines the weight. Whereas, volume is the space used to contain a liquid. The term “volume” is used for liquids such as water, juice or oil.

For example –

• Pineapple is heavier than Cherry

Reference image

• The writing pen is lighter than the chair.

Terms to remember:

• Heavy
• Light

Unit markings for weight are as follows:

• Milligram – mg, Gram – g, Kilogram – kg, Ounce – oz., Pound – lbs

Instruments to use:

Weight measurement instruments are analog and digital scales. Take your kids to the physician or the health center to weigh themselves on different types of scales to learn.

Application:

Weight and volume measurement is used in day-to-day life for surrounding objects and common foods.

For example–

• Apple is lighter than watermelon
• My book is heavier than the pen
• A baby weighs lesser than an adult/ a baby is lighter than a child or adult

4. Capacity

What is “capacity”?:  The amount of liquid a vessel can contain is known as its capacity. The term is used for liquid measurement and volume.

For example:

• The glass is full of orange juice
• The water bottle is empty
• The capacity of glass is 250 ml
• The capacity of bucket to hold water is 9 liters

Terms to remember:

• Hold
• Full
• Empty

Units of measurement for capacity are:

• Mililiter – ml, liter – L, Fluid ounce – fl. oz., Cup

Instruments to use:

Volume measurement instruments are measuring spoons, cups and jars. They have clear markings on their surface to read and measure the liquids. Let your kids measure water, juice or syrup for a cold cooking exercise like making lemonade.

 

Reference image: cups with measurement markings

Application:

Capacity and volume measurement are used in day-to-day life for surrounding objects and common foods.

For example–

• Add 2 cups of water to make lemonade
• Add ½ cup of oil in the mixing bowl

5. Sorting

Sorting of objects is a complete exercise to apply the concept of length, weight, volume and capacity. It also extends to arranging objects on the basis of color, shape and their type. Sorting types are:

 

Figure: Types of Sorting

Sorting by shape & size - Arranging objects as per their shape and its closest resemblance to a regular circle, triangle, square or rectangle. Also, picking smallest, tallest or shortest object from a set of objects or pictures is included in such sorting.

Let your kids pick objects resembling to these shapes from their surroundings and arrange them as per their size and shape.

Reference image: Types of Shape

 

 

Figure: Terms to remember while sorting by size

Sorting by type & color: This includes arranging objects on the basis of their types such as similarity with each other. This similarity can be in shape, color and size. For example:

• Circling all the flowers in a picture
• Selecting only green pencils from a box of assorted color pencils

                        

Reference image: Standard colors to sort objects: Orange, yellow, light green, green, blue, navy, purple, pink and red

Application:

The concept of sorting and arranging objects is a useful math skill. It helps in classifying and enhancing other mathematical skills. These skills are addition and subtraction. In later grades, it is multiplication (progressive addition) and division (progressive subtraction).

Instruments to use:

• Visualizing the dimensions based on:

• Measurement scale to measure length and height
• Observing the shape for its length and height
• Observing weight, color and size
• Identifying the shape (circle, triangle, square, rectangle etc)
• Selecting the type & similarity level (foods, flowers, daily use objects)

SplashLearn measurement worksheet for Kindergarten

SplashLearn offers a brilliant and comprehensive package to start with. It will introduce your child to an amazing world of shapes, colors and numbers in kindergarten.

Our curriculum is based on common core math standards. It is instrumental in nurturing skills like learning, curiosity and memorizing. The fun games on smart math include ample interactive and colorful charts, tables and worksheets. It will never let your child to fear maths and advanced curriculum in later grades.