Measuring the Fun in Play
As children prepare for kindergarten, one of the most important skills they can develop is an early understanding of mathematics.
But this doesn’t mean sitting down with worksheets or drills: It means engaging in playful, hands-on activities that spark curiosity and exploration.
Everyday tools such as tape measures can inspire children to explore their world and learn basic math concepts in the process.
Children love to explore with tools, and there is no better way to ignite their imaginations and lay the foundation for later learning than by giving them opportunities to measure, compare, and investigate.
When children use tools to measure items in their environments—whether it’s the width of a pair of shoes, the length of a table, or the height of their friends—they’re naturally drawn into a world of problem-solving and discovery.
It doesn't matter if they fully grasp concepts such as inches or feet at this stage of development. What matters is that they’re using tools to explore the concept of measurement and beginning to develop an intuitive sense of size and space.
As children gather information with their tape measures, they are also building a richer vocabulary.
Words such as longer, shorter, taller, smaller, bigger, and wider emerge naturally during play.
Through these comparisons, children learn how to describe objects and develop an understanding of relative size—an essential concept in both math and language development.
While using a tape measure, children might count the numbers on the tape as they measure different objects. This is an early introduction to number recognition and sequencing.
The beauty of this approach is that the learning happens organically. Children aren’t asked to memorize or repeat words. Instead, they are using these words in real-world contexts, which makes the learning more meaningful and memorable.
You might be surprised to learn that these playful activities are directly tied to early learning standards. Common Core standards also highlight measurement as a foundational skill in early education.
Don't worry about the 123s. Your child's brain may not be developed enough for counting just yet. We can’t rush the brain. Children learn through play—and because play is fun, it naturally leads to repetition and retention.
When children compare the length of a book to the height of a chair or discuss which object is heavier or lighter, they are not just playing—they are engaging in mathematical thinking.
As they observe and talk about the world they inhabit, they are practicing key skills such as measurement, data collection, and comparison.
This process helps children begin to understand how measurement works and how it can be used to describe and understand the world.
You can continue to support your child’s mathematical thinking at home by looking for everyday opportunities to talk about measurement. Tape measures, rulers, or even pieces of string can become powerful tools for learning. Measure objects around the house, compare their sizes, and introduce new vocabulary words along the way.
Encourage early learners to measure their world by asking leading questions such as:
- “Is your book longer or shorter than your shoe?”
- “How wide is the table compared to the door?”
By incorporating measurement into daily activities, you can help young children build a strong early math foundation in a fun and meaningful way.
At the heart of all this learning is play. Play-based learning inspires children to explore, ask questions, make predictions, and test out their ideas.
And here's the best part: Math doesn’t have to be intimidating! Early math can be as simple and enjoyable as measuring the length of a piece of string or comparing the size of a block to a book.
By giving young children the time and space they need to explore objects with tools, ask questions, and engage with the world around them, we are helping them build the skills they will need to innovate and create in kindergarten and beyond.