Ask adults to measure children’s height then make a graph using streamers, wool or ribbon to show how tall each child is. Record each child’s name and height on the chart.

Ways to develop numeracy through play

• Recording how tall you are is about measurement.
• Make a graph to record the playgroup children’s height.
• Compare who is the tallest/smallest child.
• Measure adults and compared to the child – who is taller/smaller.
• Ask a child to predict – who will be taller?
• Ask a child to estimate how tall they think they are.
• Use other units of measurement –how many metres long is the fence or how many hands tall is the cupboard?
• With a streamer, ribbon or string, compare other items in the room to the child’s height.

Ways to develop literacy through play

• Talk about centimetres and metres.
• Write the child’s name next to their measurement.
• Discuss height comparisons.
• Read Titch by Pat Hutchins or Jasper’s Beanstalk by Nick Butterworth.
• Remember when...
  • you were 2 and you couldn’t reach the door handle.

• Make a TALL book.
• Build with blocks – ask the children to make a tower as tall, taller or smaller than themselves.
• Link paper chains together – compare to the children’s height or other items in the room.
• Thread straws, pasta, cotton reels or large beads onto plastic tubing the length of the child. Tie knots to secure – display by hanging on a stick or a piece of dowel.
• Draw around the child’s body with chalk – measure the length – compare with the height chart – is it the same or different?
• Compare shadow lengths at different times of the day.
• Measure different objects inside and outside the playgroup.
• Grow a climbing plant such as a bean or pea plant.

Play prompts:

• Measure your child and plot their height onto our graph.
• Don’t forget to write their name and height.
• Compare their height to other items in the room.
• Use words such as tall, taller, tallest, big, bigger, biggest, small, smaller, smallest.

Parents or carers can:

• Comment on what their children are doing (say what they see).
• Talk in their home language.
• Use literacy and numeracy words (see words to use section above).
• Measure their child and record their height.
• Help their child compare, estimate and predict.

You can help families by:

• Modelling what you want them to do.
• Talking to them about the focus of the activity and what children might be learning.
• Writing up words that go with the activity.
• Making suggestions on what families can do at home.

Great Start activities are for parents and carers to do with their children.

• How tall am I?
• How big is that?
• Growing sweet corn
• Visiting the doctor