The measurer reads aloud the measurement to the nearest 0.1 cm.While positioning the childвЂ™s legs, place the sliding board against the soles of the childвЂ™s feet, which should be at right angles to the board. Place your hands gently on the childвЂ™s ankles or knees to keep them flat and straight.The head should be positioned so that the line of sight for the child is perpendicular to the head board.

Hold the sides of the childвЂ™s head, cupping the ears, and (with the help of the assistant or carer) position the head touching the board.Remove the childвЂ™s shoes and gently place the child on his or her back along the centre of the board.Place the height board flat on the ground or on a table or bench space.If a child older than two years cannot stand, measure length lying down and subtract 0.7 cm from the measurement. If a child less than two years will not lie down, measure standing height and add 0.7 cm to the measurement. If age is not known, children shorter than 87 cm are measured lying down.Height and length mean the same thing: how tall the child is. Children more than two years old are measured standing up (height). Children less than two years old are measured lying down (length).Measurements should be read aloud clearly and recorded immediately to avoid error.If the parent or carer is close by, she or he can reassure the child. Two people are required to take each measurement (particularly height).To reassure the caregiver, try to measure in private (for instance by using a screen). Shoes should be removed when measuring height. Clothes and shoes should be removed when measuring weight.It is important to be as accurate as possible when taking measurements.If measurements show that a child is wasting, thin or swollen, the child may have acute malnutrition and must be referred for nutritional care and treatment.Measuring height and weight helps to show whether a child is growing well.Why is measuring height and weight important?

How to measure height on scale