Practice Blind Finger Counting!

What You Need:

• Shoebox
• Hobby knife
• Masking or packing tape
• 20 small items including at least 10 coins that are pennies, dimes, nickels, and quarters
• Pen or marker
• Paper

What You Do:

1. Take one of each coin and explain that they are all worth different amounts.
2. Take the piece of paper and draw lines with the pen to divide it into four parts.
3. Tape one of each coin, tail side up in the different areas on the page.
4. Explain to your child that the coins may look similar at first, but if she examines them closely, she will be able to tell them apart.
5. Tape the lid to the box.
6. Cut a hole in the side of the box big enough for your child to fit her hand through, but not big enough for her to see through.
7. While her eyes are closed, drop a few items and coins through the hole in the box.
8. Ask her to stick her hand inside and count how many items are there with her fingers.
9. Now ask her to determine how many of the items are coins and pull the coins she finds out one at a time.
10. If she pulls a coin out, challenge her to place it on the paper in the correct area.