The perimeter is the way once around along all the sides.
Imagine walking along the outside edge of the rectangle.
This is how you do it:
1. Look at how long and how wide the rectangle is.
2. Every length and every width appears twice.
3. Add up all four sides, for example 6 + 2 + 6 + 2 = 16.
4. The perimeter is measured in cm, just like the sides.
In the example below the numbers written in show the answer.
For parents
What does this exercise practice?
Working out the perimeter of a rectangle by adding up all four sides.
Common pitfalls
Many children add only the length and the width and forget that each side appears twice. Tracing around the outside with a finger helps.
How to practice at home
Measure a book or a sheet of paper with the ruler and work out the way around together.
Related: Tiling Areas, Right Angles, Measuring lengths