Measurement: Conservation of Length

This activity, alone or in a large or small group, gives the teacher a chance to get a glimpse of how the children are thinking and which children have arrived at the concept of conservation of length.

Objectives

Children ages 3-4 can match object by length Cog. IIIA
All children participating will be able to tell that two identical objects are the same length even when objects are rotated or in different special relationships to each other
and they can use a variety of approaches to solve a problem SE II

 

Materials

Set of identical sticks for each.

Procedures

1. Have child sit at table with you. Tell child you are going to play a game together. Hold two sticks up so they are parallel to each other, and ask child if the sticks are the same length or not the same length.

2. Move one stick slightly upwards. Ask child again if both sticks are the same length or one is longer than the other. (Although the child has seen the stick being moved, (s)he may say that the one which has been raised is now longer.)

3. Move stick so that they are even and parallel. Ask child again if the sticks are the same or different. If child answers “different,” then this child has not learned that size does not vary with appearance and position. This child will not be able to order objects consistently and needs more experiences with measuring. Give each child a set of sticks to experiment with.

4. If child stated that in all three positions the sticks were the same size, place the sticks in many different positions. If child still responds with an answer that sticks remain same, then child is ready for measurement involving counting, distance, and number concept.

5. Try this as a large group activity, using felt strips on a felt board. Pose above questions for group consideration and discussion.