Take Teddy to the Doctor

1. 1

   Gather a stuffed animal, three objects of different lengths to serve as stretchers—such as a pillow, blanket, and book—and choose a place at home to be the hospital, such as the sofa.

2. 2

   Pretend the stuffed animal is hurt and say with urgency, “Teddy is hurt and cannot move. We need a stretcher to take Teddy to the hospital!”

3. 3

   Show your child the three possible stretchers and ask, “Which one will fit best?” Suggest measuring them by hand.

4. 4

   Demonstrate placing one palm after the other from Teddy’s head to feet. Then let your child measure the same way and count how many hand lengths Teddy is.

5. 5

   Measure the pillow, blanket, and book in the same way, then compare each measurement with Teddy’s length.

6. 6

   Ask, “Is this stretcher longer than Teddy, shorter, or just right?”

7. 7

   Choose the best-fitting stretcher together and carry Teddy to the hospital.

What to notice

• Uses the width of their palm to compare the lengths of the bear and the blanket Measurement
• Chooses a pretend stretcher for Teddy with you Relationships with Adults

Tips

• A hand span is a familiar, easy-to-use unit. Measuring with it helps your child notice that the teddy bear has a length, that other objects have lengths too, and that those lengths can be compared.
• If an object is not quite suitable, try: “That looks promising, but it may be a little short. Can Teddy lie down on it?”

Developmental benefits

• Cognitive: As your child measures the bear and compares several possible stretchers, they practice using measurement to make a purposeful choice.
• Social/Emotional: Working with you to choose a stretcher and carry the bear to the pretend hospital gives your child practice cooperating toward a shared goal.