If you’ve ever watched your preschooler solve a math problem by laboriously counting out the answer on their fingers, you might have felt a twitch of concern. Should you stop them? Is it a "crutch" that will keep them from doing "real" mental math later on?
For years, parents and teachers have debated this. But a fascinating new study from Switzerland (University of Lausanne) has provided a clear answer: Let them count.
The "ex-finger user" advantage
The study, which followed nearly 200 children from age 4 to 7, found something surprising. The children who were best at math weren't the ones who never used their fingers. In fact, the children who never used finger-counting were actually the lowest performing group.
The math superstars were the "ex-finger users"—children who used their fingers heavily when they were younger but naturally stopped as they grew confident enough to calculate in their heads (usually around age 6 or 7).
Why it works
Finger counting acts as a crucial "cognitive bridge." It helps young brains physically visualize abstract numbers (a concept called embodied cognition) and reduces the load on their working memory. It’s not a bad habit to be broken; it is a necessary scaffold for building a strong mathematical mind.
The takeaway for parents
Don't worry if your 5-year-old is using their hands to figure out what 4 + 3 equals. It’s a sign their brain is building the right connections. The goal isn't to stop them from using their fingers, but to support them until they no longer need to.
So, next time those little fingers start moving, don't intervene. They are literally counting their way to success!
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Picture: Young girl counting on her fingers (Gemini)
