Informal Measurement

Informal Measurement in the Early Years: Practical Ways to Build Big Thinking

Teaching informal measurement in the early years lays the groundwork for confident mathematical thinking. Before young learners tackle rulers, scales, and clocks, they need to understand the why and how of measuring. That’s where informal measurement shines.

By using everyday objects and real-world experiences, children explore concepts of length, mass, capacity, and area in meaningful, hands-on ways.

What Is Informal Measurement?

Informal measurement means using non-standard units—like blocks, hand spans, paper clips, or cups—to compare and measure. This approach builds a strong sense of estimation, comparison, and mathematical language without overwhelming young learners with numbers and formal tools.

Before we introduce centimetres or litres, we help students understand longer, heavier, fuller, and taller through exploration.

Why Start with Informal Units?

Children need to grasp measurement concepts before applying formal units. Starting with informal measurement:

• Encourages estimation and reasoning
• Builds rich mathematical vocabulary
• Connects maths to the real world
• Supports the development of problem-solving skills

When children measure the length of a table with pencils or compare the weight of two lunch boxes in their hands, they actively construct understanding.

Practical Ways to Use Informal Measurement

1. Measure with What You Have

Use items already in your classroom: unifix cubes, shoes, straws, or hands. For example, ask students to measure how many glue sticks long their desk is. Then, let them compare answers and discuss why their results might differ.

This invites talk about unit size and accuracy, all while keeping it fun.

2. Set Up Measurement Stations

Create a rotating set of hands-on stations that focus on:

• Length: Use string, paper strips, or pencils to measure classroom items
• Mass: Compare classroom objects using balance scales and teddy bears
• Capacity: Fill containers with cups, spoons, or small jars
• Area: Cover surfaces with sticky notes or counters

These stations make measurement active, visual, and easy to differentiate.

3. Use Measurement in Everyday Routines

Embed informal measurement into classroom life. Count how many steps it takes to walk to the library. Measure the weather chart with paperclips. Compare water bottles at lunch to talk about more or less.

These moments make maths meaningful and show children that measurement isn’t limited to maths time.

4. Incorporate Picture Books

Books like How Big is a Foot? by Rolf Myller and Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen naturally support measurement conversations. As you read, stop to ask questions like:

• “How could we measure that?”
• “Which object do you think is heavier?”
• “What could we use to measure without a ruler?”

Reading opens the door to rich mathematical talk.

5. Let Students Record and Reflect

Although informal measurement feels playful, it’s still essential to build in reflection. Provide simple recording sheets where students draw, label, and compare their findings.

You can also encourage them to explain their thinking:

“I used five unifix cubes to measure my pencil, but it only took three to measure the crayon because it’s shorter.”

Reflection deepens understanding and helps connect informal experiences to future formal units.

Linking to the Curriculum

Informal measurement aligns directly with the early years maths outcomes in the Australian and Victorian Curricula. Students are expected to:

• Compare and order objects by length, mass, capacity, and area
• Use direct and indirect comparisons
• Describe measurements using everyday language

These tasks develop the foundation for formal measurement in Year 1 and beyond.

Conclusion

Informal measurement is more than just a stepping stone—it’s a rich opportunity to build thinking, language, and problem-solving skills in young learners. By starting with what children know and see every day, you empower them to understand the world through a mathematical lens.

So bring out the unifix cubes, line up the lunchboxes, and get ready to measure the world—informally and with joy.

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