How to Use Touch Math

TouchMath numbers

Touch Math is a different way for children to look at and think of the numbers, zero through nine, in order for them to learn the value of the number at the same time that they learn what it looks like. Used widely at schools to help students in kindergarten and first grade, as well as students who have learning disabilities such as autism, using Touch Math numbers gives children a visual aide to help them to learn addition and subtraction and to eventually be able to do it in their heads without counting on their fingers.

This is done by showing the numbers with dots and circles on them that represent the amount of that number. Each solid dot on the number stands for a count of one, while a circle around the solid dot means you count that dot twice, thus the number one has one solid dot on it, while the number six has three dots with circles, each of which is counted twice, giving it a value of six.

Zero has no circles because its value is nothing.

1 through 5 all have solid dots.

6 through 9 all have dots and circles.

The steps below show how to use this method to show young children how to perform math.

Things You'll Need

• Numbers written down as shown so your children can see them

Instructions

1. 

   Write out the numbers, zero through nine, for your and your child's reference as follows:

   Put a solid dot at the top of number one.
   Draw a dot at both ends of the number two and draw a dot on each of the three points of the number three.
   Place a dot at both corners of number four as well as the top two ends.
   On number five, place a dot at both ends, both corners and once along the side of the curved end.
   Number six should have three circles along its stem, each with a solid dot inside it.
   Number seven has one solid dot at it's top open-end and three circles with solid dots inside them along it's longer portion.
   Number eight should have four circles: two on each side, all with solid dots inside them.
   Number nine will have three solid dots inside the circle that makes the top portion of the number and three circles along its stem, each with a solid dot inside.

2. Choose an equation that you want to solve, either for addition or subtraction.

3. Begin with the largest number in the equation and count the dots on that number. Remember to count dots with a circle, such as on the numbers 6 through 9 two times each.

4. 

   Add or subtract to that amount by counting the dots on the lower number. This is easier for children than counting the numbers themselves, up or down, because as they grow older they'll learn to imagine the numbers with their corresponding dots and circles, and thus add or subtract mentally, counting the dots the same way as they do when younger using a visual aide such as the one made back in Step One.

Tips & Warnings

• Write the numbers on a piece of cardboard or on paper and have it laminated.