Fingerprinting numbers is an excellent early math activity for preschoolers to promote rational counting while refining motor control and hand-eye coordination.
This is the easiest and most effective fingerprint numbers early math kids activity with a twist. So, while promoting fine motor control, dexterity, and hand-eye coordination, a child also practices rational counting. Besides, this easy numeracy activity takes only a few minutes to set up, and no specialized material is required. Most importantly, a child can practice one-to-one correspondence hands-on and engagingly!
What is the Best Way To Learn to Count
When it comes to counting, hands-on and engaging activities are best for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners. For example, little ones intuitively use their fingers when they begin to count. So, creative fingerprinting math activities incorporating fingers and paints solidify early math concepts in a new and inviting way. Besides,
by combining arts, crafts, and math into one fun project, children dive into an activity with enthusiasm and excitement, paving the way to a lifelong love for numeracy.
What You Will Need for Fingerprint Math Activity
Here is a list of materials you will need for a fingerprint number early math kids activity:
- a black marker
- paper
- paints (we also used acrylic paints)
How to Present Fingerprint Numbers Activity
First, write numbers one through ten on a piece of paper. For smaller children, start with numbers one through three only. Then, offer finger paints of a color of your choice.
Next, invite a child to dip a finger in paint and print the exact number as the numeral indicates. So, for number one, a child will make one fingerprint. For number two, a child will make two prints of the same color, and so forth.
Let me help 10-X your homeschooling Journey(Not your To-Do-List)
Below are 3 ways I can help you up-level your child’s early years!
Video Tutorial
What is the Montessori Approach to Math?
A child, three to six years of age, has a conscious absorbent mind. “It is as if the child, having absorbed the world by an unconscious kind of intelligence, now ‘lays his hands to it. Now it is the hand, as a ‘prehensile organ of the mind,’ not just the senses, which move the child through a period of constructive ‘perfectionment’ – refining the acquisitions already made.” ~ explained Dr. Montessori.
Why Should We Focus on Refining Small Muscles of the Hands
So, although you can start practicing this activity starting at the age of two-and-a-half years, once a child moves from the unconscious to the conscious absorbent mind of the first sub-plane, it becomes crucial to offer plenty of opportunities to refine small muscles of the hand, which are now instruments of one’s intelligence.
What is One-To-One Correspondence
One-to-one correspondence is a learned ability to match quantity to the corresponding number and recognize that numbers are merely symbols to represent quantity. Young children often learn “rote counting” (memorizing through sheer repetition) without understanding one-to-one correspondence.
In many cases, young children might engage in what we call ‘rote counting.’ They can recite numbers up to a certain point, but it’s more like repeating a memorized song lyric without really comprehending the underlying meaning. They might count from one to ten, but the connection between the numbers and the actual quantity might not be crystal clear to them.
To help children develop a deeper and more meaningful understanding of counting, encourage them to count out loud while touching or pointing to each object they’re counting. This practice reinforces the concept that each number corresponds to one specific item.
For instance, as they count their fingerprints, they’re not just saying numbers; they’re associating each number with each fingerprint.
This kind of practice is essential for preschoolers, as it lays the groundwork for more advanced math concepts later on. It’s all about making numbers relatable and tangible, which is a fantastic approach for homeschooling parents of preschoolers. It transforms counting from a mechanical task into a genuine exploration of the quantitative world around them.
This skill forms the foundation for understanding numbers and their connection to the real world.
What is the Difference Between Rational Counting and One-to-oce Correspondence?
Read here about One-to-one correspondence, which is a child’s numeracy skill, past the rote counting when they can count rationally.
Have you tried Fingerprint Numbers Early Math? Leave a comment if you did!
RECENT BLOG POSTS
Polar Bear Activities Round Up for International Polar Bear Day | Simple Arctic Play at Home
Polar Bear Activities Round Up for International Polar Bear Day helps you create calm, hands-on arctic play that builds fine motor skills and early literacy at home.
Montessori China Continent Box for Preschool | Culture Through Play
This Montessori China Continent Box for Preschool helps your child explore culture through hands on learning, builds global awareness, and sparks meaningful conversations at home.
CVC Word Building Activity for Preschoolers | Simple Phonics Play at Home
This CVC Word Building Activity for Preschoolers helps your child blend sounds, build early reading skills, and learn through calm hands-on play.
