"Finger Multiplication provides a concrete reference for this type of learner." -- TOSâ„¢ Magazine

Your child's fingers - the ultimate manipulative! Mr. Gould initially developed the finger multiplication system to help children learn the 6s, 7s and 8s. He expanded it to include the full table. Why and how does this work? Look at your hands. There is a visual symmetry to them. The hands are mirror images of one another. Imagine numbers on each joint of each hand. The child can visualize this or can actually use a pair of white gloves with the numbers written on each finger. The joints from pointer to pinky are numbered 1-10. The job of the thumb is to count, so it does not get a number. The procedure is a hard to explain in words, but I'll try to explain a simple problem, like two times two. Starting with the left hand, the student counts using the thumb and moves from the knuckle labeled one to the knuckle labeled two. Now do the same with the right hand. The student notes that two plus two is four, so the answer is four. The system was derived from an ancient Korean method called Chisanbop. If you have a kinesthetic kid who needs to touch and feel and move to learn, definitely check this out. It could be a real breakthrough! But just about any kid will respond to this fun, easy-to-learn method. Check it out!
-- Product Review by: Christine Field, Resource Room Columnist, TOSâ„¢ Magazine

Here's another Finger Multiplication review!

I am one of those odd people who really does enjoy math. No, I did not make a typing error. The word I used was "enjoy." I rose to the challenge in high school and again in Junior College. I think I must have had every math course conceivable from accounting to geometry, basic and advanced algebra to calculus, and finally, a course entitled Quantitative Business Analysis, affectionately known as QBA. All this being said, I just about - or must I confess - I did actually "lose it" when I found my nine-year-old foster son, Zachary, adding with his fingers to do his traditional math course from A Beka!

I learned my multiplication tables "the old fashioned way" - drill or die - and in all honesty, I have to say that I wasn't all that excited about trying John Gould's Finger Multiplication. Gena, however, seemed excited enough for the both of us, so I put aside my bias and set about the task at hand.

Zachary, of course, was the perfect candidate. After all, he is not generally inspired on his own to do anything that isn't fun. He hates the drill and repetition of a "traditional curriculum." Anything that takes a lot of effort on his part, he labels as "boring" and balks at learning. This child is not unintelligent; rather, he comes from a background of "if it takes work, then I don't want any part of it."

I have drilled Zachary endlessly. Yet, I still catch him counting on his fingers under the table when he thinks I am not watching. Mr. Gould describes this type of student as one "who understands the concepts initially, but continues to make errors when trying to follow more traditional steps. A child, who makes written mistakes, reverses operations, etc." He states that this child may require manipulatives for math even up through the middle grades. Finger Multiplication provides a concrete reference for this type of learner.

Zachary and I proceeded to undertake the mastery of the nine times tables. Within just a few minutes we were "signing" out the answers quickly and correctly. I had to admit this was easy and fun! We were laughing and testing each other to see who could make their hands work the fastest! Later that week, I found Zachary using Finger Multiplication to check the answers on his math test.

Finger Multiplication was originally created for a member of Mr. Gould's family who sustained a head injury and had to re-learn a significant amount of information. By the time his method was perfected, Mr. Gould's relative had recovered. Mr. Gould went on to use Finger Multiplication with his own students, specifically those in special education classes. He also noticed that the students who were having difficulty "memorizing" the multiplication tables in his regular classes benefited as well.

Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks. If you have a child who is a hands-on learner, or is just overwhelmed with learning the multiplication facts, I would suggest trying this method. It isn't for everyone, but it is fun, inexpensive (way under $10!), and fairly easy to master. It puts a new spin on math. Mr. Gould is quite helpful and very happy to answer any questions you may have, or just offer you suggestions if needed. This first book only covers the tables one through nine; however, tables 11 and 12 will be available in a forthcoming second edition. I only wish I had known Finger Multiplication when my calculator batteries died! Well done, Mr. Gould!