3.3y–5y12 minFamily timeChore timeOutdoor
Picnic Estimate and Check
A pretend (or real) picnic-planning activity where your child estimates ‘how many’ items are needed, then checks by counting, comparing, and adjusting the plan.
What you'll need
Essentials
- paper squares (or slices of bread) to be ‘sandwiches’
- a plate or tray (to lay them out)
- paper and a marker/crayon (for quick notes or number cards)
Nice to have
- homemade number cards 1–10 (write numerals on paper)
- small toys/dolls to be extra ‘picnic guests’
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneCounts objects one-to-oneMind· 4y–4.5y· core· Steps 2, 3, 4
- MilestoneReports the counted totalMind· 4.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneCompares object propertiesMind· 2.8y–5y· stretch· Step 4
- Milestonecounts up to 5Mind· 2.5y–3.3y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneSelects appropriate resources and adapts work where necessary.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneTalks about own interests and ideasMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneBegins to identify own mathematical problems based on own interests and fascinations.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch
What it practices
- Estimates how many objects they can see and checks by counting them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Counts an irregular arrangement of up to ten objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses the language of ‘more’ and ‘fewer’ to compare two sets of objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Finds the total number of items in two groups by counting all of them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Selects the correct numeral to represent 1 to 5, then 1 to 10 objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Encourage estimation, e.g. estimate how many sandwiches to make for the picnic.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)