This helps kids understand several key components of math development such as understanding quantity, recognizing amounts and developing concepts of five and ten. See this article for more information: http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/04/why-kids-should-use-their-fingers-in-math-class/478053/
Here are some activities to help kids develop this important skill:
- Count things in a room using your fingers.
- Hold up different amounts on your fingers and have kids figure out how many you have then make it on their hands.
- Ask your child to hold up an amount like 4, then ask them to hold it up using 2 hands. Such as 3 on one hand and 1 on another. (This helps with early addition skills)
- Have kids tell their age with their fingers.
- Have kids hold up amounts on their fingers behind their back or head.
- Have kids hold up finger amounts under a blanket. (This can help with visualization of quantities)
If your child has trouble making numbers with their fingers or isolating their fingers. Here are some ideas.
- Finger massages can help.
- Crawling on the floor with flat hands.
- Ms. Mattingly, our OT, has some great finger exercises that can help as well. Just write me a note and I can make sure to give you a copy of things you can do at home to develop this important skill.
