Using Fingers When Adding

[Guest]

Do you find it helpful to ask reception children to use their fingers to help them add? I find that with small numbers they generally know the answer anyway, or could easily see it using objects. With bigger numbers eg 4+3 they get very confused by the physical mechanics of getting out the fingers and remembering which ones are up or down. Is this shocking? Are fingers helpful?

[Susan]

I always teach children to use their fingers- a wonderful resource that can never be taken away! But I wouldn't be teaching them to add up like that but rather to add on. I think if there is the confusion you describe, thru ate not ready for that calculation and need concrete apparatusvto visualise what is required more effectively.

[Froglet]

I definitely use fingers for counting on but other 'stuff' for adding 2 separate quantities.