Free Printable Finger Counting Posters for Numbers 1-10

One of the first tools we use for counting are our fingers. They are with us all the time, easily accessible and help us master one to one correspondence. Let’s be honest, even as adults, we often catch ourselves using our fingers to solve math problems during everyday activities. In fact, brain researchers have found that we “see” a representation of our fingers in a special area of our brains, even if we don’t use our fingers when calculating an answer! So, as you can see, finger counting is an important part of mathematical development. These free printable Finger Counting Posters for Numbers 1-10 are great additions to the classroom!

Why should kids use their fingers in math?

Finger counting is essential for strong number sense development as it helps with one to one correspondence and lightens the memory load. When finger counting, you have an actual physical representation of the number. Although there has been some controversy surrounding using fingers during math, there have been studies demonstrating that kids who use their fingers to count are actually smarter! We definitely want our young learners using those fingers to count!

This pack includes large colorful and diverse printable posters that represent finger counting and can be used on bulletin boards or as classroom posters. There are also smaller posters included that can be used to practice counting or for small group lessons. These posters are great because when children are able to count on their fingers, they take an abstract concept- math- and change it into a more basic, tangible form.

We want young learners to finger count!

Brain research has been conducted that demonstrated that an area of our brain actually “sees” fingers while solving math problems. This region of the brain called the somatosensory area, actually “lights up” when given a math problem.

It is essential to promote finger counting and these free printable number posters are a wonderful tool to help students master this skill.

What activities can I do with these finger counting posters?

These number posters for classroom can be used in many different ways.

They are colorful, diverse and can be used on a bulletin board for students as classroom decorations to reference throughout the year to help with finger counting systems.

You can use these posters in multiple ways:

• Hand a card to each student, have the class line up sequentially with their cards. Or have a child independently sequence the cards.
• Have a student call out a number while the rest of the class uses fingers to represent that number. Show the card to the class for self-checking.
• Cover up the number on the poster. Have the learners write the number the fingers represent.
• Show the poster while covering the hand representation. Have students use their fingers to represent the number.
• Show a number card and ask the students to show you with their fingers what numbers come before/after the displayed number.

How do I use the Finger Counting posters?

Print and cut out the Finger Counting Posters.

Laminate the posters.

You will want to use these posters over and over so if possible, print them on cardstock or mount them on construction paper before you laminate.

If you plan on allowing the kids to manipulate the cards keep in mind that preschoolers and kindergartners are not the most delicate creatures! You are going to want to make sure your posters are sturdy and can stand up to many different hands and well, let’s face it, probably mouths as well.