The Problem:
Many Dutch students can calculate but cannot estimate. They’ll solve 49 x 21 precisely but can’t guess if the answer should be closer to 1,000 or 2,000. Estimation builds number intuition, but it’s rarely taught explicitly in classrooms.
Causes:
- Overemphasis on exact answers and algorithms
- Lack of opportunities to play with numbers and make mistakes
- Fear of being “wrong” when estimating
The Shenmo Solution:
Shenmo builds estimation into every lesson, encouraging students to guess first and check later. Using mental images of numbers, they learn to round, group, and approximate with confidence. One boy in Eindhoven proudly estimated every answer in his school test first—just like Shenmo taught him—before writing the full solution.
Steps for Parents and Teachers:
- Ask “About how much?” before solving problems exactly
- Play price-guessing or measuring games at the store or in the kitchen
- Use Shenmo estimation training to turn rough thinking into sharp insight