Read a bar chart with children

Read the category labels and vertical scale before comparing heights. A taller bar means a larger amount only when both bars use the same scale.

Worked example

Suppose A reaches 4, B reaches 2 and C reaches 6 on a scale marked in ones. C has the most votes, and C has four more votes than B. If each interval instead means two votes, a bar four intervals high represents eight votes.

Try it step by step

1. Bar graph reader

   Read the units, diagram or calculation. Work it out and choose the answer; the explanation shows the method.

A useful hint

Ask the child to point from the bar top across to the scale. Count intervals, not the number of printed labels.

Simple activities, gentle encouragement, and room to explore at your own pace. Big buttons and simple controls on phones, tablets, and computers.

Questions to discuss

• What did you notice first?
• Can you show another example?
• How did you check your answer?

Printables

Games to practise