Measuring Height and Weight Development

**dizgrace** · 02-10-2013, 01:34 PM

Hello

I went on a "maths is fun" training course and they were saying that weighing the children regularly is great as it involves children with numbers and they love to see how they have grown.

I already have a height chart for my little boy, but wondered if anyone had any suggestions on how to record this in a group setting? Would quite like to show weight and height on one chart ideally?

Many thanks

Grace

**sarah707** · 02-10-2013, 06:31 PM

I'm not sure parents would be happy with that - isn't it the Health Visitors job? I might be wrong it's just my initial thought

**MessybutHappy** · 02-10-2013, 06:32 PM

My first thought is "I'm the same weight as..." and then an item or series of items that appeal to the child... My dd would be so excited to know she was the same as ten wellies filled with water for example...

**FussyElmo** · 02-10-2013, 06:50 PM

My concern would be if you have older children and they were being weighed they might get upset if they were heavier than the other children. Children are becoming so self conscious at such early ages nowadays

**MessybutHappy** · 02-10-2013, 07:24 PM

Perhaps introducing it early would normalize it? If a child is completely used too the idea that some children are bigger than them and some are not it won't be an issue? We observe all the time...I have blue eyes, you have brown, we celebrate these things, why not height and weight? We have height charts and notice how one child has grown more quickly than their sibling... This time! And we guess who'll grow most next time! If weight is discussed in the same way, the children will ask why and we can explain easily. Just a thought!

**watford wizz** · 02-10-2013, 07:49 PM

We started with an ECM wall height chart on a door but as the children out grew the chart we just marked name and date on the door. This has grown and grown as the children have asked visitors to join in. We have heights of all sorts of people including gas man and post lady. The LO love seeing that older children were once their height. We celebrate all their differences and specialness.

**chriss** · 02-10-2013, 08:35 PM

Not sure if its something some parents or kids would like..too fat, skinny, short, tall and all that...all on display to argue over too. And I would not want to be inclused either

Could maybe weigh diferent things in the home ?

**k1rstie** · 03-10-2013, 06:05 AM

Height yes, weight no!

But loved the idea of you measuring the gasman and the postie!

**emma04** · 03-10-2013, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by MessybutHappy

Perhaps introducing it early would normalize it? If a child is completely used too the idea that some children are bigger than them and some are not it won't be an issue? We observe all the time...I have blue eyes, you have brown, we celebrate these things, why not height and weight? We have height charts and notice how one child has grown more quickly than their sibling... This time! And we guess who'll grow most next time! If weight is discussed in the same way, the children will ask why and we can explain easily. Just a thought!

I totally agree!!

If we avoid every subject that might cause offence or hurt someone's feelings, we may as well all have the ability to speak...removed!!

The sooner we normalise the fact that people are different, can be different and that it's ok to be different, the world will be an easier place to live in!!