Measurement begins with comparing: which is heavier, longer or taller? From there, Year 1 explorers start to measure lengths in centimetres and learn which tool measures what.
What your child will learn
- Compare objects using heavier, lighter, longer, shorter and taller
- Find the difference between two lengths in centimetres
- Add two lengths together
- Choose a ruler, scales, a measuring jug or a stopwatch for a job
From comparing to measuring
Before children use units, they compare directly — standing side by side or holding one thing in each hand. Once comparing feels easy, centimetres give a way to say exactly how much longer something is.
Measure Meadow asks for the difference between two lengths and the total of two lengths laid end to end, so children see why subtraction and addition matter when measuring.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. Which is lighter?
- 🐕 dog
- 🐹 hamster
Show answer
Answer: 🐹 hamster. A dog is heavier than a hamster, so the hamster is lighter.
2. Which is shorter?
- 🐊 crocodile
- 🦎 lizard
Show answer
Answer: 🦎 lizard. A crocodile is longer than a lizard, so the lizard is shorter.
3. Which is shorter?
- 🐇 rabbit
- 🦒 giraffe
Show answer
Answer: 🐇 rabbit. A giraffe is taller than a rabbit, so the rabbit is shorter.
Tips for grown-ups
- Line up toys from shortest to tallest, then measure them with a ruler.
- Hold two objects and guess which is heavier, then check with kitchen scales.
- Talk about the tools you use at home: a tape measure, a jug, a timer.