- Definition
Estimation is when your child makes a sensible guess about a number or amount without counting exactly, like guessing how many candies are in a jar.
Looking at a jar of marbles and guessing 'about 20' because you know what 10 marbles looks like is using estimation.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Estimation is like making a smart, thoughtful guess, like looking at a handful of grapes and guessing how many there are before counting them.
Ask your child: Can you make an estimate of how many blocks are in this tall tower?
Common mix-up: Kids may think an estimate is just a wild, random guess. Estimation is actually using what you already know to make a guess that is close to the real answer.
Examples
- Guessing that your toy car is about three of your hand-lengths long.
- Estimating that it will take about five minutes to walk to the park, rather than timing it exactly.
estimation is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
