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Estimation

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From: Aussie Childcare Network

Estimation Alexkerhead

An activity that teaches a child about estimation.

 Materials Needed:

  • Building blocks.
  • Large jug of water.
  • Measuring cups.
  • Egg timer.
  • Marbles in a container.

What to do:

  • Place the items onto the table in front of the child.
  • Tell them they are going to learn “estimation”. This means coming up with a guess based on the following questions:

- How many blocks can you build to make a tower before they fall over?

- How many cups of water would you need to fill up the jug?

- How many marbles would you need to fill up a measuring cup?

- How many times do we have to turn the egg timer before you pack away the blocks?

- Will the marbles sink or float in the water?

  • Go through the questions with the child.
  • Ask them to think about their answer and write it down.
  • Once they have answered all the questions, use the items on the table to work out the correct solution.
  • See how close the child’s estimations were

Hints and Tips:

  • As a group activity, you could make a chart with the above questions and write down each child's estimations. Add the results at the end to see who had the most correct estimations.
  • You could use other questions than those listed above.
  • Find more items that the child could use to estimate. For example: roll dice to find out how many times a number “4” would be rolled in 10 attempts.

Additional Info

  • Appropriate Age: 4 year+
  • Number of Children: Individual (1), Couple (2), Few (3), Small Group (4), Large Group (5 or more)
  • Developmental Milestones:

    - Work co-operatively in small groups.
    - Uses a variety of words when talking.
    - Begin to understand estimation.
    - Is able to count in correct order.
    - Listens to and understands instructions.

  • Play Based Learning: Exploratory Play
  • Interest Areas: Toy Table
  • Games Categories: Cognitive Development, Learning Games, Literacy and Numeracy
  • EYLF Outcomes: Learning Outcome 4, Learning Outcome 5
  • Sub Outcomes:

    LO4 - Children Are Confident And Involved Learners

    4.1 Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity cooperation confidence creativity commitment enthusiasm persistence imagination and reflexivity

    4.3 Children transfer and adapt what they have learned from one context to another

    LO5 - Children Are Effective Communicators

    5.1 Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes

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