Sizing Things Up

What to do:

1. Separate four stacking measuring cups. Let children play with them discovering how they go together.
2. Help them put the smallest cup into the biggest cup and learn that there is no room for the others.
3. See if they can solve the problem of what to do with the two other cups.
4. Take one cup away leaving three cups and see if that is easier for them.
5. After they have had a chance to play and experiment with the cups, show them how to nest the four measuring cups. You may use a post and graduated rings as an alternative for this activity.

Variation:

• Use different objects from the kitchen for nesting such as a plastic mixing bowl set or recycled plastic containers that nest inside of each other.