Describing how long or heavy things are
In kindergarten, children learn to describe what can be measured about an object, such as its length or weight, and to notice that one object can be measured in several ways.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
Try these with your child
These are real questions from our kindergarten practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
Is a feather heavy or light?
- Heavy
- Light
- Neither
Why this matters
Before your child measures anything, they need to know what can be measured. Once they understand that length and weight are separate, they won't assume a long object must be heavy. This leads to comparing objects in kindergarten, measuring length with paper clips or cubes in 1st grade, and using rulers in 2nd grade. It also helps with everyday choices, like picking a bag big enough or a box light enough to carry.
Where kids can get stuck
- Describing an object with one word, such as "big," instead of naming separate qualities like long or heavy.
- Assuming the longest object is also the heaviest, and being surprised a paper towel tube weighs less than a can of beans.
- Using "short" and "light" as if they mean the same, calling a small but heavy stone light.
How you can help
- Pick up a household object, such as a cereal box, and take turns naming things you could measure about it, like how tall, how wide, or how heavy it is.
- Compare a pillow and a book by holding them, and talk about which is bigger and which is heavier, noticing they are not the same one.
- On a walk, find a stick and describe it in several ways, such as long, thin, and light, and then find something that is heavy but short.
The kid-friendly video below is a nice one to watch together. For more, Bobby's Math Club has free practice at your child’s level.
Kid-friendly explanation
Questions parents ask
Why is my child learning to describe several qualities of one object?
Objects can be measured in different ways, such as by length, height, or weight. When your child names several qualities of one object, they learn that these are separate. That prevents common mix-ups, like thinking a long object must be heavy. It also prepares them to choose the right way to measure something later on.
How is this different from what my child did in Pre-K?
In Pre-K, children learn the basic words, such as big, small, heavy, and light. In kindergarten, they use more exact words and describe several qualities of the same object. For example, they might say a ruler is long and light, while a brick is short and heavy.
When will my child start measuring with a ruler?
In 1st grade, children measure length by lining up equal-sized objects, such as paper clips or blocks, end to end. Standard tools like rulers usually come in 2nd grade. Describing and comparing qualities first helps your child understand what a ruler or scale is actually measuring.
Make learning math fun
Bobby's Math Club turns kindergarten math practice into something fun to do together.
- Unlimited practice, completely free
- Questions matched to your child’s level, a few minutes a day
- Hints when they are stuck, and a celebration when it clicks
Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
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Join the clubNote for teachers: This skill is covered by Common Core math standard K.MD.A.1: “Describe measurable attributes of objects, such as length or weight. Describe several measurable attributes of a single object.” Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow. (Common Core K.MD.1)