The words "long" and "short" are words children hear often in their daily lives.
Children around kindergarten or preschool age might have a vague understanding of the difference between long and short, but in elementary school math, this leads to more specific learning, such as:
- Comparing lengths
- Measuring lengths
- Making the same length
Actually, playing with building blocks can naturally develop a sense of "length."
In fact, block play can naturally foster a sense of "length."
This time, as the fourth installment of our study series, we'll introduce fun length-related activities using building blocks, categorized by age!
What is a sense of length?
When learning about length, it's important to understand concepts such as:
- Long/Short
- Tall/Short
- Same length
- Length of X blocks
In elementary school, children learn centimeters using a ruler, but before that, it's essential to have the experience of:
"Comparing"
Building blocks are uniform in size, making it easy to "compare" and "count," and thus perfect for developing a sense of length.
【0-1 years old】Experience long and short
At this stage, experience is more important than words.
＜Recommended activities＞
Line up blocks horizontally
Line up blocks one by one, then two, then three.
Play while saying, "It's getting longer!"
Let's play while saying.
Try stacking them high
Stack the blocks up high and enjoy by saying,
"It got tall!"
"Can we make it even taller?"
and enjoy.
Height is also an important experience for developing a sense of length.
【2-3 years old】Compare long and short
This is the period when children develop the ability to compare.
＜Recommended activities＞
Which one is longer?
Create a row of three blocks and a row of five blocks.
"Which one is longer?"
"Which one is shorter?"
Ask questions like:
Make the same length
The parent lines up 4 blocks.
The child then lines up blocks to make the same length.
"We made the same length!"
Such experiences are important.
【4-5 years old】Try measuring games
Play by using blocks as a "ruler."
＜Recommended activities＞
How many blocks long is the desk?
Measure the length of the desk with building blocks.
"It was 8 blocks long!"
"The chair was 4 blocks long!"
By measuring familiar objects, children develop the concept of "measuring."
Comparing toy lengths
Measure stuffed animals and picture books with building blocks.
"Which one is longer?"
"How many blocks are different?"
and play while thinking.
Build a bridge of the same length
Line up blocks to build a bridge.
Parent and child can challenge each other,
"Can we build a bridge of the same length?"
Let's give it a try.
【5-6 years old】Try games that involve thinking about length!
Recommended around elementary school entrance.
＜Recommended activities＞
Length guessing game
Before arranging the blocks, try to guess,
"How many blocks long is a pencil?"
make a prediction.
Let's actually measure and compare.
It also develops the ability to predict.
Try to make the same length with different blocks
Try combining different types of blocks to achieve the same length.
For example,
- 1 cuboid
- 2 cubes
and so on, look for combinations that result in the same length, even if they look different.
"It's the same length!"
"Can we do more?"
By trial and error with your child, you can develop:
- The ability to compare lengths
- The ability to think about combinations
- The ability to think logically
You can develop such skills.
Build a tower of the same height
Choose blocks freely and create two towers of the same height.
For example,
For example,
One side is made only of cuboids,
The other side can be a combination of cubes and triangular prisms, so feel free to challenge yourself!
Once completed, compare them from the side and check,
"Are they really the same height?"
Let's confirm.
By thinking about block combinations, children develop the ability to compare heights and engage in trial and error.
Building block play is a warm-up for "measuring skills"
In block play, children can develop various skills connected to elementary school math, such as:
✔ Long/Short
✔ Tall/Short
✔ Same length
✔ Compare
✔ Measure
✔ The concept of "X blocks long"
✔ Creating the same length with different combinations
✔ Figuring out how to make the same height
and other skills that connect to elementary school math.
Before using a ruler, having the experience of "comparing" and finding "measuring fun!" will build confidence in learning.
Summary
The goal of learning length is not just to be able to use a ruler.
First and foremost, it's important to develop a sense of "comparing" and "measuring" through play, such as:
"Which one is longer?"
"It's the same length!"
"It was 8 blocks long!"
It is important to develop the sense of "comparing" and "measuring" through play.
Furthermore, playing with different blocks to create the same length or height not only fosters an understanding of length but also develops problem-solving skills and logical thinking.
Tsumiki's blocks, with their multiple shapes like cubes, cuboids, and triangular prisms, allow for this kind of play.
Please enjoy discovering that "length is interesting!" by trying out various combinations with your child.