A new four-year-old came for her second piano lesson this week.

We were working on finger numbers.

As you know, finger numbers seem simple to us. But for many young beginners, they're surprisingly hard.

Why young beginners struggle with finger numbers

First, kids have to know their right hand from their left. This is pretty hard for young kids, and deserves another article here.

Then, they have to learn that there are only five finger numbers. I had one student who told me that there were 10 finger numbers, until I showed him my finger number diagram.
It’s also tough for kids to know where to start. Counting from the thumb takes time, but with repetition, it becomes second nature.

My four-year old student was a little confused, until I started playing the most POPULAR game in my studio - The Ring Game.