When
I was learning arithmetic in public school I was taught to NEVER count
on my fingers. And I mean NEVER! My teacher informed the class that was
considered “cheating”. And apparently my mom shared her sentiment. Rote
memorization was the only option.
If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It
Thankfully,
learning that way worked for me. And I never questioned it. So, when I
began homeschooling I taught my oldest son basic math skills the same
way that I had learned them. And he successfully memorized his math
without “cheating” with his fingers.
