Fingerprint Numbers Early Math

Fingerprint 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 very effective fingerprint numbers early math kids activity with a twist. So, while promoting fine motor control, dexterity, and hand-eye coordination, a child is also practicing 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 in a hands-on and engaging way!

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 numbers early math kids activity:

1. a black marker
2. paper
3. paints (we also used acrylic paints)

How to Present Fingerprint Numbers Activity

Firs, 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. 

Video Tutorial

What is 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 Sould 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 having an understanding of one-to-one correspondence.

For example, young children count to ten, just like a heart-learned poem, without truly understanding the underlying quantitative aspect of counting.

Thus, to practice rational counting, offer a child to count only once aloud each fingerprint as they correspond to their numeral.

What is the Differece 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.

---

Join eMontessori Courses

---

Have you tried Fingerprint Numbers Early Math? Leave a comment if you did!

---

♡ Enriching the Mind one Heart at a time ♡

FIND US on Instagram ♡ Facebook ♡ Pinterest ♡