Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Cognitive Development (CD)

Subdomain: Mathematical Thinking and Expression

Goal: Children compare, sort, group, organize and measure objects and create patterns in their everyday environment.

Skill Progression: Measuring

Age: 54-60 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 54-60 Months.

Dramatic play: Shopping at the hardware store. Rolls of tape of different sizes, golf tees for pretend nails, markers, glue, pieces of wood of different sizes (or unit blocks), ruler, tools, paint brushes, color chips of paint, numbers 1-10, etc. Have at least 10 wood strips of graduating lengths. Have all materials dumped together in a pile. Discuss what is needed and use a string or stick to measure different lengths in units.

The adult can say, “I like this one,” and “I’d like one that is twice this big.” “Can we use this one to find one that is this long, plus one more?” “How many days will it take to build this?” “Hmm. So, It is Monday today. What day will it be in three days?”

The children manipulate objects to compare sizes, measure lengths with a common unit (even their feet or hands).

Again, work as many math concepts as you can into the dramatic play. Give children paper and pencil to draw on for thinking about what they need. Prompt with comments or suggestions as needed.