Why Finger Counting Matters: A Powerful Stepping Stone to Higher Math Skills for Young Children

When families move abroad, children often find themselves navigating new languages, school systems, and learning expectations all at once. For many international parents, understanding what healthy learning behaviors look like—especially in math—can be challenging.

One question comes up again and again: “Should my child still be counting on their fingers?”

According to new research published by the American Psychological Association, the answer is a resounding yes—at least during the early years.

A study led by Dr. Catherine Thevenot and Dr. Marie Krenger from the University of Lausanne followed 211 Swiss children from ages 4½ to 7½ and revealed something powerful:👉 Children who use finger counting between ages 4 and 6½ develop stronger addition skills by age 7 than those who don’t.

Finger Counting: More Than a Beginner’s Tool

Finger counting is often misunderstood. Some teachers—and even parents—believe that children should “move on” from counting on their fingers as soon as possible. In some countries, finger counting is viewed as a sign of struggle rather than strength.

But this study shows the opposite:

Finger counting actually helps children build the foundation for more abstract and advanced math skills later on.

Children are not supposed to skip this stage. Using fingers gives them a concrete way to “see” numbers, which supports the brain’s development of number sense, memory, and arithmetic fluency.

What the Researchers Found

Over the three-year study, children completed math tasks of increasing difficulty. Researchers filmed them to observe how their strategies changed.

Here’s what emerged:

• Finger counting peaks around ages 5½ to 6.

• By age 6½, 92% of children had used their fingers at some point to solve addition.

• By age 7½:

  • 43% were former finger counters (they used to rely on fingers, but no longer did),

  • 50% still counted on their fingers, and

  • Only 7% had never used their fingers.

And here’s the key finding:

🏆 The strongest math performers were the “ex-finger counters.”

These children used their fingers when they were young, then naturally transitioned to faster mental strategies over time.

They outperformed:

• children who had never used their fingers, and

• children who were still using them.

In other words, finger counting wasn’t a sign of weakness—it was an essential learning step that helped them reach higher-level skills.

What This Means for International Parents

If your child is adapting to a new country or unfamiliar teaching style, it’s important to know:

✔️ Finger counting is normal.

✔️ Finger counting is beneficial.

✔️ Finger counting does not prevent children from developing mental math skills later.

Children will naturally move away from finger counting when they are developmentally ready—just as they eventually stop sounding out every letter when reading.

Suppressing this stage too early can actually make math harder, not easier.

Practical Tips for Parents Abroad

Here’s how you can support your child’s math development—especially in multicultural or multilingual environments:

1. Encourage finger counting without shame.

If your child lifts their hands to solve a problem, celebrate their strategy. It shows they’re building solid foundations.

2. Don’t rush mental math.

Some school systems emphasize speed over understanding. But deep comprehension takes time.

3. Use language-neutral math activities.

Finger counting can bridge gaps when children are still learning the local language. Fingers are universal.

4. Make math visual at home.

Use objects, toys, or everyday items—anything your child can touch and count.

5. Communicate with teachers.

If finger counting is discouraged in the classroom, you can share this research to advocate for developmentally appropriate support.

A Reassuring Takeaway

As Dr. Thevenot emphasizes, there is no reason to discourage finger counting out of fear that children will get “stuck.” Instead, finger use is a powerful tool that naturally evolves into more advanced strategies.

For internationally mobile families—whose children often juggle new languages, transitions, and expectations—this message is especially important:

Let children use every tool available. Their fingers included.

At Baumgarten Child Psychology and More, we support families navigating international moves and educational transitions. If you’re wondering whether your child is developing math skills at a healthy pace—or if you’d like guidance tailored to your family’s unique multicultural context—we’re here to help.

📎 Read the research article here: https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/dev-dev0002099.pdf