Don't Underestimate the Need to Strengthen this Cognitive Skill

We don't think about it very often but we make estimations all the time.  Estimation is a cognitive skill and it's not only about "how many."   We estimate when moving our bodies to walk and exercise, while driving any type of vehicle, playing sports and cooking.  The next time you are watching a baseball game and you need a distraction, see how many ways you can find estimation being used. 

Estimation skills can absolutely be practiced and developed -and should be!  Since we use estimation skills in so many ways, it's worth time and effort to develop.  The more we use our cognitive skills like estimation, the stronger they become. 

It's a brain thing.  Neural networks carryout thought processes like estimation.  The networks are strengthened by putting them to use.  

So, let's be intentional about strengthening your child's neural networks!

Have you ever noticed an answer on a calculator that seemed to be obviously wrong?  After clearing and trying again, a more logical answer appears.  That's using estimation or approximation.  You had an idea of what the answer should be, but you used the calculator to figure out the precise number.  You recognized the wrong answer when you saw it.  

Thanks to credit cards and virtual carts, we rarely need to worry about having enough cash, even for a last minute unexpected stop to pick up a forgotten ingredient needed to make dinner.   However, I have been caught on vacation, wanting to make a small purchase at a ma & pa shop.  After making a quick estimate, I realize the price of my purchase is well below their minimum credit charge.  There I stand, counting my change to see if I have enough to make the purchase.

Playing golf, crossing a busy road without a traffic light and grilling your favorite meat are examples of using estimation in very different ways.

A toddler isn't only experiencing muscular development during the early stages of walking.  Cognitive skills are developing as well.  The body is learning how much balance is needed in order to move in the desired direction.  We've all seen an infant fall right before they reach their destination.  It can be a loss of balance or a poor estimate of the movement needed to cover the remaining distance.

Guessing is often used as a synonym for estimating.  However, guessing doesn't involve the gathering of information that is included in making estimates.  Actually, that is exactly what estimating is -a process of gathering information from your surroundings, deciding what information is relevant and comparing past experiences in order to estimate an outcome for the current situation.

A child, obviously, won't be practicing distance estimation by driving to the soccer field, but will most definitely be practicing it when dribbling, receiving, and kicking the soccer ball.  Cooking dinner for the family isn't the responsibility of a young child, but your child can help with some of the dinner preparations.  Estimating and measuring amounts of ingredients will strengthen some neural networks. 

Which brings us back to our topic of the "Estimation Jar."  One way your child can exercise cognitive skills is by estimating the number of items inside a container.  Let me give you a bunch of tips and ideas.

Tip #1:  The estimation jar doesn't actually have to be a glass jar.  It can be a…

• Plastic container
• Tin can
• Carboard box
• Wooden crate
• Even the package that the items are purchased in…bag of M&Ms for example

What did I miss?  -Yep, that too!

One more…it might not be a container at all…a bunch of grapes, a blossom's petals, a towel with a star pattern or a pillow stuffed with feathers (just kidding). 

Tip #2:  Container Size

The size of the container doesn't really matter. 

However, depending on the developmental stage, it may or may not be automatic for your child's neural network to consider the consistency/inconsistency of the container when calculating the estimate.

For starters, you might use the same container and then eventually trade it out for a different size.  Notice how your child responds to the first estimate after the container size is changed.  Your child's response will be revealing.  If your child isn't accounting for a different sized container, you may need to stick with the same container for a while. 

Keep in mind, when it's time to reveal the number of items in the container, it will take more time to count small items.  An alternative to swapping out containers, you can fill a container to different levels. 

You could also keep the item in the sealed package it's purchased in -open it when the estimates are complete and it's time to count them.  Be aware of the packaging however, it might include an item count or "servings per package".  If you've already transferred items from their package into a storage container (pasta, cookies, nuts, etc.) just keep the food in the storage container and do the estimating from there.

Tip #3: Size of Items

The size of the items is another variable that needs to be considered when you choose items to put in the estimation jar.  Start with larger items and gradually use smaller items.  Eventually, go back and forth between sizes.  If you use the same container and only change the size of the items, you are helping your child attend to fewer factors.  If your child is older, you might be time to alter both variables simultaneously.

Tip #4:  No Counting Allowed

It could be possible for your child to actually count the number of items in the jar, if the items are large enough.  To help prevent this from happening, cover the jar.  Wrap it with a piece of paper and then remove a section so the items can be identified and 'sized up'.  Make a small window 1/4 to 1/3 of the container's size.  This will give enough of a view for your child to size up the item as well as the fullness of the container. 

The intent should not be to 'trick' your child into thinking the jar is full when it is only half full.  That might be fun and worth some laughs (or frustration depending on your child's personality) but it won't help develop the skills involved in making estimations.  

Tip #5:  Timing

Before you bring out the first estimation jar, decide how long your child will have to make an estimate.  This isn't a guessing game.  Your child should have time to consider the characteristics of the items and the jar, to make a thoughtful estimate.  This could be minutes, hours or days.  If your plan is to have a weekly estimation jar, your family will have time to be very thoughtful.  But their estimate is final once they write it down and submit it.

Tip #6:  Keep it a Mystery

Keep the answer a mystery and don't count the items as you place them in the jar.  Just because you are the one putting the items in the jar doesn't mean you have to count them.  Talk about your estimates so your child can learn strategies from you.  Everyone can share how they reached their estimate.  Doing so isn't giving away classified information.  It's teaching and learning.  But, hopefully in a fun way.

Tip #7:  Right or Wrong

Estimates and guesses are two different things, so are estimates and exact numbers or answers.  When it comes to estimating the number of items inside a jar, it's not about getting the exact answer.  The goal is to be relatively close.  If an estimation jar has 13 items in it and someone estimates 53, that's not close.  But if there are 623 items and someone estimates 663, well, being 40 off is close, for such a large number.  Close is relative to the size of the number.

Being accurate and precise when gathering information is helpful.  Making careful comparisons to previous experiences is also helpful.  But estimating is not about getting the answer right or wrong. 

Tip #8:  Vocabulary

There is definitely a vocabulary set that is associated with estimation.  Allow it to develop as you go.  Discuss any different interpretations of words and come to a consensus. 

Tip #9:  Handle Competitors Carefully

If your child has a competitive streak or is sensitive to 'getting the wrong answer' be careful how you present this activity.  Children who are hard on themselves about needing to be 'right' will reap a lot of benefits from working with an estimation jar.  But take it easy.  See how it goes.

Tip #10:  Keep 'a lid on it'

Keep it fair!  Keep them honest!  "Keep a lid on it!"  If the jar will be unattended for any amount of time, how will you be sure no one opens the jar and counts the items ahead of time?  I've seen many estimation jar experiences go sour because someone opened the jar and counted the items when no one was looking.

Kids can be tricky.  Even if the estimation jar is only viewed a few minutes beforehand, make sure it isn't found by someone during the preparation stage. 

Tip #11:  Items to put in the estimation jar:

Food:

• pasta
• gold fish crackers
• popcorn
• cereal
• candy, Hershey Kisses or miniatures. 
• wrapped Halloween candy
• candy corn, jelly beans, candy hearts, gummy bears
• cookies (unwrapped/wrapped)
• breakfast bars/protein bars
• bunch of grapes
• seeds in a whole, half or quarter of watermelon
• raisins, craisins, nuts,
• crackers -Cheeze-its. 

Toys:

• play cars (Matchbox cars)
• building blocks

Supplies/Materials:

• crayons, pencils, markers, pens
• craft supplies you may already have on hand (pompoms, beads, buttons, popsicle sticks)
• clothes pins (who has clothes pins anymore!)
• paper clips
• toothpicks, q-tips

Seasonal Items:

• Christmas tree balls
• seashells
• plastic Easter eggs

You could also invite guests to participate (young and old, kids' play dates and adult friends who stop by for a cup of coffee.  Two winners could be identified -the closest estimate by a child and the closest by an adult. 

A weekly estimation jar can be a bit much to prepare and keep up.  Monthly, or even seasonal or holiday related, is much more practical.  

I hope these tips help you simplify the process of creating an estimation jar for your family.  

Let's create s'more teachable moments for your child, together!

Ron