How can you tell they’ve got it: Measuring length and height (age 5+)?

If they’ve got it, you’ll see things like: Measure the length of a table using cubes and record the result; Begin to use a ruler to measure in centimetres; Record a measurement as a number with a unit. Or just try it together: If your child measures the length of a book using small cubes laid end to end, can they count how many cubes it takes — and then try measuring the same book with a ruler?

Mathematics Measurement Ages 5–6

Measuring length and height (age 5+)

Your child can measure length, like counting how many cubes long a table is. They are starting to use a ruler in centimetres.

In curriculum terms

Measure and begin to record lengths and heights using non-standard and standard units

Ages are typical, not deadlines — follow your child’s pace. How to help at home →

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Measure the length of a table using cubes and record the result
Begin to use a ruler to measure in centimetres
Record a measurement as a number with a unit

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Try this together

If your child measures the length of a book using small cubes laid end to end, can they count how many cubes it takes — and then try measuring the same book with a ruler?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Comparing Lengths & Heightsages 4–6Measuring length with units requires first being able to compare lengths directly

Measuring length and height (age 5+)this skill · ages 5–6

Unlocks

Choosing measurement unitsages 6–7Using standard units for length extends from beginning to measure length

Measuring lengthages 6–7Measuring with iterated units extends Y1 beginning to measure length

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Where this fits in the official school curriculum — our best automated guess, not yet checked by a person.

Show candidate curriculum codes · 3 ACARA · 2 NSW · 3 VIC

Australian Curriculum v9 candidate

AC9M1M02medium confidenceYear 1 · Measurement

measure the length of shapes and objects using informal units, recognising that units need to be uniform and used end-to-end

AC9M2M01medium confidenceYear 2 · Measurement

measure and compare objects based on length, capacity and mass using appropriate uniform informal units and smaller units for accuracy when necessary

AC9MFM01medium confidenceFoundation · Measurement

identify and compare attributes of objects and events, including length, capacity, mass and duration, using direct comparisons and communicating reasoning

NSW syllabus codes & stages only

MA1-GM-02high confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 1

MAE-GM-02low confidenceMathematics K-10 · Early Stage 1

Victorian Curriculum 2.0 codes & levels only

VC2M1M02medium confidenceMathematics · Level 1 · Measurement strand

VC2M2M01low confidenceMathematics · Level 2 · Measurement strand

VC2M2A02low confidenceMathematics · Level 2 · Algebra strand

These are candidate alignments generated by semantic matching — machine-suggested and unreviewed (v0.1), not official or verified mappings. For official curriculum content see australiancurriculum.edu.au, curriculum.nsw.edu.au and f10.vcaa.vic.edu.au. Don’t rely on them for registration or compliance purposes.

Nearby on the map

Capacity and volumeages 5–6 Coin Valuesages 5–6 Days, Weeks, Months & Yearsages 5–6 Measuring mass and weightages 5–6

All Measurement skills →