Thalia, from Abu Dhabi, UAE, sent in this lovely measuring with blocks idea. Let’s take a look at it…
What did you do?
I have used interlocking blocks to measure, in this instance sea creatures. However, you can measure whatever your child enjoys playing with, too engage them in the activity. Maybe cars, trains, dolls, dinosaurs!
Encourage your child to lie the blocks alongside each object that they are measuring. You can introduce vocabulary such as; same, longer, shorter, more and less. Once complete ask them to count the blocks for each object, developing their numeracy and one to one correspondence. You can then again introduce mathematical vocabulary; which animal is the longest, for example.
To support a child’s thinking skills and depending upon their stage of development, you can pose questions to them before measuring. Which animal do they think will be the longest? Shortest? Why?
Try bringing measuring into everyday scenarios, making mathematical development fun and engaging!
Tell the Housebound With Kids community a bit about yourself…
I’m Thalia, I don’t actually have any children, but have worked in the early years sector for over 20 years. My setting is currently closed due to Covid 19 and I wanted to find a way to support parents at home, with simple and basic resources that they would have around the house.
@let_usplay
How are you finding being housebound so far?
No children, but I miss my job and the 120 children usually in my care!
Do you have any tips for other parents?
Keep things simple and don’t stress if something doesn’t go to plan. Children will engage much better in things that come from them and their interests, rather than something we try to make them do.
Has this website and community helped you?
I think this website is an amazing place to share ideas and support one another.
