Nonstandard Measurement for Preschoolers

Grab your blocks! You’ve got to try this nonstandard measurement for preschoolers. If you have a young child, chances are they will line objects up in a long line. – This is a nonstandard measurement; we can use blocks to explore this further. Preschool math activities are best when they are hands-on and play-based.

Let’s hop on this play idea and set up a nonstandard measurement play prompt to explore measuring length.

RELATED: Learning through play will always be our jam. Use this list of preschool activities to come back to when you need an easy idea.

Table of Contents:

1. What is a nonstandard measurement?
2. Nonstandard measurement is fun for kids
3. Set up nonstandard measurement for preschoolers
4. Supplies
5. Conversation starters
6. FAQ
7. Nonstandard Measurement for Preschoolers

What is a nonstandard measurement?

Nonstandard measurement uses untraditional tools to measure. Many of these nonstandard objects you may already have in your home. Grasping these small objects and placing them on paper will help with pencil grip and strengthen small hand muscles.

Nonstandard measurement tools to use:

• Beans
• Coins
• Counting bears
• Dot stickers
• Duplo or Mega Bloks
• Feet
• Glass globs
• Magnetic tiles
• Painter’s tape
• Paper clips
• Pasta
• Pencils
• Pinecones
• LEGO
• Ribbon
• Sneakers
• Stickers
• Wooden lacing blocks – shown here

Are you thinking about what I am thinking about this indoor activity? You can do this nonstandard measurement with your preschooler today. Whoop! Whoop!

RELATED: Grasping each of these above objects helps improve fine motor strength! 

Nonstandard measurement is fun for kids

As the parent, my job is to guide my four-year-old’s play into placing the blocks on the line to explore nonstandard measurement and length.

In his eyes, he is playing! He is making predictions about how many blocks are on each line and counting as he goes. Nonstandard measurement for preschoolers is a fun introduction to measuring with more traditional tools such as rulers and tape measures.

When we think about preschool play, it is pretty simple to get kids started. Good math toys at home can naturally inspire learning through play rather than forcing ideas.

RELATED: Breakfast Invitations begin our weekday to inspire independent play.

Set up nonstandard measurement for preschoolers

1. Tape white paper to the table.
2. Use a ruler to draw lines with different lengths.
3. Place wooden blocks to the left of the paper.
4. Invite your child to follow the lines with the blocks and begin to measure.

If you ever wondered why math is important for preschoolers, I found this article from the NAEYC to highlight some key reasons.

PRO TIP: Draw a green circle to show where to put the first block. Draw a red circle to show where to stop placing blocks.

Supplies

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Conversation starters

Use these conversation starters to extend thinking as your child plays and explores nonstandard measurement.

• Which line of blocks is the longest? – How can you tell?
• Which line of blocks is the shortest?  – How can you tell?
• Let’s count the blocks in each row. See this? You said this line is your longest, and it has 16 blocks. You said this row of blocks was your shortest line. It has 9 blocks. 16 is a larger number than 9.

Simple, informal chats like this will help preschoolers build on prior knowledge. When will you play this nonstandard measurement activity?

FAQ