Do measure length 4-7 years old children with a standard ruler

The present work is part of a wider study on length measurement in childhood. This report analyses the use of the standard ruler made by 4 to 7 year-old children, 104 students are asked to measure real objects. It is studied the possible influence of age and sociocultural factors such as sex and family origin, as well as the possible association between correct length measurement and their conservative thinking. The age range chosen includes the change from Childhood to Primary Education in the Spanish context. The results show that there is not association between conservation and success in measuring length with the ruler, neither is between the latter and the analyzed factors, sex and family origin. However, the association between conservation and age is observed.