Do you have a leftover ribbon or string from the holidays? Good news! You can set up this easy preschool math activity faster than pouring yourself hot coffee in the morning. Introducing measuring with ribbons!
Sounds ambitious, I know.
Well, fear not, it’s true. These Breakfast Invitations are a great way to introduce an important early math skill as you wake up slowly and your child begins their day with play.
RELATED: SIMPLE ideas such as this are found on our activity cards.
Learning meets play
This simple setup introduces your child to nonstandard measurement. The ribbons have fun designs that almost instantly captivate a preschooler’s attention.
Since preschoolers are likely interested in what is in front of them, they are likelier to be engaged with problem-solving and testing each length.
RELATED: Here are 50+ kid activities for the home that invite play into your every day!
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Nonstandard Measurement 101
Nonstandard measurement is measuring without a formal ruler or measurement device. Some nonstandard measurement tools are paper clips, marker caps, shoes, clothespins, MegaBloks, and so much more.
- Measure capacity with water
- Discover capacity using pom poms
- Introduce length with magnetic tiles
- Measure the length with glass globs and washi tape
There are many creative ways to introduce measurement with simple hands-on learning play prompts!
Supplies
I pride myself on having easy activities that take less than five minutes to set up with supplies you may already have at home. You will see hundreds of preschool activities that involve the same supplies as this measurement activity.
Use the following supplies along with some strips of ribbon.
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White paper roll
This paper is a staple in our home. It can be placed on a table or a vertical surface. There are so many uses for it!
Markers
Share these markers with your kids, or keep them for yourself. I am not one to judge; I like my own pack too.
Ribbons
Kids will enjoy this activity with rainbow ribbons!
Setting Up
- Begin by cutting a couple of strips of ribbon in various lengths. Make sure each length is different from the rest.
- Draw a line on the paper to match each ribbon.
- Set all ribbons aside. I like to lay out each strip so my preschooler can begin to problem-solve.
Conversation Starters
Allow your preschooler to investigate what the setup asks them to do.
Prompt if needed:
“I wonder if any of these ribbons are the same length as the lines.” “How could we tell if the line and the ribbon are the same lengths?” “Are all the ribbons the same length?” “Let’s take a look.”
Allow your preschooler to begin matching the ribbon to the lines shown.
REMEMBER: It is important to guide your preschooler to the start of the line. This preschool math activity will introduce the concepts of measurement and ruler placement.
You can begin introducing some of these concepts now on a preschool level! Set this Breakfast Invitation up today and leave a comment below letting me know how it goes!
