Flashy Fingers
Here's What To Do
Wiggle your fingers and Invite your child to play a math game with you.
Explain that you will flash your fingers in different ways and they are to shout out the number of fingers they see.
Using both hands, do various configurations of one to five using different fingers and one or both hands. Be sure to show both the front and back of your hands as you put fingers up.
Alternate between showing one to five fingers.
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Find a place that is quiet and will allow your child to focus on you. Ask them to wiggle their fingers to get ready to focus on our hands.
Engage:
- Start with using five fingers on one hand and ask “How many fingers do you see?”
- Use different fingers to show the same number or number combinations. Example, take turns using different fingers for the number five or use both hands to show different fingers for the number five.
Encourage:
- Give your child a hint but try not to give them the whole number. Try, “There are f-f-f-f-oooo-r, yes the number four.”
- Don’t worry if your child has to count the first few times to recognize how many fingers you put up.
Reflect:
- “Was it hard not being able to count the fingers?"
Not quite ready?
Show your child how by putting three fingers up and saying, “Three, I see three fingers.” Repeat it with me, “four” and have your child touch your finger as you say one, two, three, four our number is four.
Ready for more?
Repeat the same activity but this time have children show the number using their fingers.
As your child masters this skill...
Will start recognizing groups one, two, three, four and five without counting.