Weighing and Balancing
To develop early understanding of weight through balance scales and heavy/light language.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Mathematics
- Learning area: Mathematics
- Level: EYFS 2-3
Objectives
- Uses heavy/light vocabulary
- Predicts which will be heavier
- Uses balance scales
- Sorts by weight with support
Materials
- Simple balance scales
- Objects of different weights
- Weight vocabulary books
- Heavy and light sorting baskets
Instructions
Place simple balance scales at a low table with a collection of objects. Resist explaining — let children discover what the scales do through exploration. Their initial reaction ('it went down!') is the most valuable learning moment.
Narrate what you observe: 'The stone is on this side and it went DOWN. The feather is on this side and it went UP. Why do you think that happened?' Guide thinking without providing answers.
Introduce heavy and light vocabulary after exploration: 'The stone went down because it's HEAVY. The feather went up because it's LIGHT. Heavy things go down on the scale, light things go up.'
Let children feel both objects before comparing: 'Hold the stone in one hand. Now hold the feather in the other. Which feels heavier? Which hand is harder to hold up?' The proprioceptive experience of weight is important.
Create a sorting challenge: 'These things are heavy — they go in the heavy basket. These things are light — they go in the light basket. How do you know?' Watch children's sorting strategies.
Use body experience: 'Try lifting this big box — is it heavy or light? Now try lifting this cushion. Which is heavier?' Whole-body experience of weight is powerful and memorable.