Finger Counting Memory Game for Subitizing

Did you know that the greatest brain activity when performing basic arithmetic is in the left parietal lobe and the region that controls the fingers?? Doesn’t it make sense why counting on one’s fingers is so basic to learning mathematics? (Dehane, Molko, Cohen & Wilson, 2004)

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I created this game after reading the book, How the Brain Learns Mathematics by David Sousa. If you like learning how the brain works and, you teach math (or are just curious), this is an excellent read. Not too technical and full of very practical information without being preachy. I actually found myself WANTING to read this book!

While reading about subitizing (recognizing a number of objects without counting), I came up with the idea for this game to help young children with this concept.

Materials

templates

scissors

card stock

Preparation

Print the the templates on card stock.

Cut the cards apart.

You will end up with 3 sets of cards as shown below.

Directions

Before beginning talk to the players about trying to recognize the numbers without counting them- like the dots on the dice.

Decide which matching game to play: dots to fingers, fingers to numbers or dots to numbers.

Then set up a game of memory, Go Fish or other simple card game.

The cards can also be used as flash cards!

This game can be found at the following link:

Finger Counting Memory Game from Boy Mama Teacher Mama

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