Elementary Math

At what age/grade should a child stop using their fingers to add or subtract?

Thanks in advance

Re: Elementary Math

i teach 4th grade gifted and talented and still have a few who do this. IMO its not the worst habit. and we do advanced math and critical thinking.

Re: Elementary Math

I tell my kids that whatever works for them, do it! If they need to use their fingers, there's no shame in that.

Re: Elementary Math

i teach hs and i still have kids do it haha

Re: Elementary Math

Thanks for replying. I have a child in my second grade class whose parent is complaining to my principal that her child is using her fingers to add.

I don't have a problem with it. I can't spend time drilling facts. It will come with time!


I just wanted to make sure that my thinking wasn't off base.

Re: Elementary Math

Hello! Math teacher here. While I absolutely agree that children should have multiple strategies to tackle multiplication, there comes a point where they MUST know their multiplication facts. I have children in my 6th grade class who still draw sticks. This hinders their progress. Our tests our getting longer, and the time for them is getting shorter. They have to have it come to them automatically. Although second grade is a bit premature for having all facts memorized. If the parent is that concerned, encourage them to make flashcards and practice them with the child.

Re: Elementary Math

Re: Elementary Math

first grade IMO.

teach the student touch math--not necessarily the program itself, but teach her the dots on numbers. the problem with using your fingers is you only have 10 of them! using touch dots you can add, subtract and multiply without using fingers.