Standard facts for kids

A standard is like a rule, a level, or a model that people agree to follow. It helps make sure things are consistent, safe, and work well together. Think of it as a common way of doing things or a quality level that is expected.

What is a Standard?

A standard can be many things. It can be a set of rules, a way to measure something, or even a type of flag. The main idea is that it helps everyone understand what to expect.

Standards in Daily Life

• Rules for Quality: Imagine you buy a new toy. You expect it to work a certain way and be safe. That's because it meets certain quality standards.
• Common Ways of Doing Things: When you plug in your phone charger, it fits into the wall outlet. This is thanks to electrical standards that make sure all plugs and outlets are the same size and shape.
• Measuring Things: When you measure your height, you use a ruler with standard units like inches or centimeters. This helps everyone understand how tall you are.

Flags and Symbols

Sometimes, "standard" means a special flag or symbol. These are often used to represent a group, like a military unit or a royal family.

• Military Flags: In armies, "colours," "standards," and "guidons" are different types of flags. They are used to show which unit is which.
• Emblems: A standard can also be a large symbol or emblem. These are used to identify groups or people, often seen in history with knights or kings.

Rules and Requirements

Many standards are about rules or requirements. They help make sure things are done correctly and safely.

Measuring and Units

• Measurement Standards: These are objects or systems used to make sure measurements are accurate. For example, a standard weight helps make sure all scales measure weight the same way.
• Train Tracks: A Standard-gauge railway means the distance between the train tracks is the same everywhere. This allows trains to travel on many different lines.

Animals and Breeding

• Breed Standards: If you see a dog show, the dogs are judged based on a "breed standard." This is a set of rules that describes what a perfect dog of that breed should look like and act like.

Money and Economy

• Gold Standard: In the past, some countries used a "gold standard." This meant their money's value was directly linked to a certain amount of gold. Today, the term can also mean the best example of something, against which others are compared.

Technology and Internet

• Internet Standards: The internet works because of many "Internet Standards." These are rules that help different computers and devices talk to each other. Without them, you couldn't visit websites or send emails.
• Technical Standards: These are rules for how technical systems work. They make sure different parts can connect and work together.
  • International Standards: Some standards are used all over the world.
  • Open Standards: These standards are available for everyone to use and build upon.
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): This is a step-by-step guide for how to do a task. SOPs help make sure tasks are done the same way every time, like in a factory or a hospital.
• Standardization: This is the process of creating and using these rules. It helps make things more efficient and reliable.
• Standards Organizations: These are groups of experts who create and maintain standards.

Education

• Learning Standards: In schools, "learning standards" describe what students should know and be able to do at different grade levels. They help guide what is taught in classrooms.

Language

• Standard Language: This is the most accepted way a language is spoken and written in a community. It's often used in schools, news, and official documents.

Mathematics

• Standard Algorithms: In math, these are the common methods you learn to solve problems, like long division or how to add large numbers. They are the usual steps you follow.

Military

• U.S. Military Standard: The U.S. Department of Defense uses specific rules called "Military Standards." These help make sure military equipment and operations are consistent and effective.
• Standard Missile: This is a type of missile used by the U.S. Navy and other countries.

Places

• Standard, Illinois: This is a small village located in the state of Illinois, in the United States.

Arts, Entertainment, and Media

Music

• Music Standards: In music, a "standard" is a song that is very popular and has been performed and recorded by many different artists over time.
  • Jazz Standards: These are famous jazz songs that are well-known and often played by jazz musicians.
  • Pop Standards: These are popular songs, often from older eras, that remain well-loved.

Music Groups

• The Standard (band): An American indie rock band.
• The Standard: A rap group that included famous rappers like Nas and Common.

Albums

Many music albums have "Standard" or "Standards" in their title, showing they might feature classic songs or follow a certain style.

• Standard (Scandal album)
• Standard (Witness album)
• Standards (Sonny Clark album)
• Standards (Lloyd Cole album)
• Standards (Grant Green album)
• Standards (Into It. Over It. album)
• Standards, Vol. 1 and Standards, Vol. 2 by Keith Jarrett
• Standards (Lee Morgan album)
• Standards (Tortoise album)
• Standards (Ken Vandermark album)
• Standards (Seal album)
• Standards (Bernie Worrell album)
• Standards by Blaggards
• The Standard (Tommy Flanagan album)
• The Standard (Take 6 album)
• The Standards by Gloria Estefan

Songs

• "Standard" (The View song): A song by the band The View.
• "Standards": A song by the band The Jam.

Periodicals (Newspapers and Magazines)

Many newspapers and magazines around the world use "Standard" in their name.

• Standard (magazine): A magazine from Serbia that no longer publishes.
• Der Standard: A newspaper published in Austria.
• London Evening Standard: A well-known newspaper from London, England.
• The Standard (Hong Kong): A business newspaper in Hong Kong.
• The Standard (Kenya): A newspaper from Kenya.
• The Standard (Zimbabwe): A weekly newspaper from Zimbabwe.
• The Weekly Standard: An American magazine that focused on politics.

Television

• The Standard (TV series): A television show.

Sports

• FK Standard Sumgayit: A former football (soccer) team from Azerbaijan.
• Standard Liège: A Belgian football (soccer) team, often just called "Standard."

Vehicles

Cars

Many car companies or models have used the name "Standard" over the years.

• Standard Motor Company: An English company that made cars and aircraft from 1903 to 1963.
• Standard (Indian automobile): Cars made in India, often based on British Standard cars.
• Standard transmission: This is a type of car gearbox where the driver manually shifts gears, also known as a manual transmission.

Aviation

• FAI Standard Class: A category for gliders (planes without engines) in competitions.
• Prue Standard: A specific type of glider.

Other Businesses

Many companies have "Standard" in their name, often because they set a high level of quality or are widely recognized.

• American Standard Companies: A company that makes air conditioning, bathroom, and kitchen products.
• Standard Bank: One of the largest banks in South Africa.
• Standard Fruit Company: An American company that deals with fruit.
• Standard Hotel: A chain of hotels, with locations in places like Los Angeles and New York City.
• Standard Oil: A very large and important oil company in American history, founded in 1863.

Computing and Technology

• Standard cell: In electronics, this can be a basic building block for making computer chips.

Plants and Plant Care

• Standard (tree): This describes a type of fruit tree that has a clear trunk before its branches start.
• Coppice with standards: A way of managing forests where some mature trees are kept while others are cut back regularly.

Other Uses

• Standard (typeface): A type of font or lettering style.
• Standard (mail collar): A piece of chain mail armor worn around the neck, often with plate armor.