Area of rectangle=length×breadth: conversations with a 9-year-old

Children are taught many kinds of measures in the primary grades, like length, weight, volume, money, time and finally area and perimeter. The following piece describes an attempt to engage with a 9-year old in thinking about area and perimeter. The piece illustrates some challenges we face while attempting to teach children these ideas, and also suggests some instructional ideas as well as give a peek into a child’s thinking