Growing up, I remember being told by my teacher that you should not use your hands to count. Turns out, contrary to this belief, using your hands to count is actually a good thing.
A new study reveals that teaching children to count on their fingers can significantly improve their math skills, boosting performance by 40%. The research, conducted in France and Switzerland, focused on kindergartners and found that training children who don’t normally use finger counting resulted in major improvements in arithmetic abilities. After two weeks of training, children’s correct answers rose from 37% to 77%.
The study highlights the value of finger counting as a teaching tool, contradicting the belief that it’s a sign of struggle. Researchers suggest it fosters a deeper understanding of numbers. Teachers are encouraged to consider it an effective method for young learners, though future research aims to explore how finger counting affects conceptual number comprehension.
Overall, the study emphasizes that finger counting can play a key role in helping children grasp math, offering a practical solution for teachers and parents to enhance kids’ early math skills.
Teachers, if a child is using their fingers to count, it may be wise to permit it, as they will find a more discreet alternative otherwise.
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