math homework without the tears

The homework should take 15 minutes. It takes an hour and a half, and everyone at the table ends up yelling.

Set the board next to the homework. They show each number on a felt hand, count the fingers that are up, and there's the answer.

◈ at the homework table | fingers they can count

they'll see what you can't explain

You try to explain it and they're still stuck. Maybe math was never your thing either.

Let the board do the showing. Each card has a sum and two drawn hands, so they copy the fingers, count, and find the answer themselves.

◈ hands they can copy | answers they find

ready before kindergarten starts

Kindergarten moves fast now. Weekly math tests can start just two weeks in.

Start at three or four, with counting and first sums at home, so numbers already feel familiar on the first day.

◈ from age three | adding & taking away

no more losing count on fingers

Your child already counts on their fingers. Halfway through a sum, they lose their place and start over.

On the board, every finger they fold down stays down, so the count is right there to check. Taking away works the same way: fold down, count what's left.

◈ fingers fold down & stay put

now they ask to do math

Soon they're the one asking to practice, and sums like 5+5=10 and 7+2=9 start to stick.

And you get to watch them figure it out.

◈ math they ask for | sums that stick

every answer you need before you say yes

What age is it for?

Ages 3 and up. It starts with counting and sums up to 10, adding and taking away, so it fits kids getting ready for kindergarten and kids already in it. When they're ready for more, the times, divide and greater than blocks are in the set too.

Will counting on fingers hold my child back?

Your child already counts on their fingers. The board shows each number as fingers up, so they can see why 5+5=10 and check it with the number blocks.

How big is it?

The board is 11.6 x 6.5 in (29.4 x 16.5 cm) and stands on its own wooden feet, a good fit for a table or desk.

Will the felt fingers hold up?

Each fingertip has a hook and loop dot that presses onto the palm, so a finger folds down with a light press and lifts back up. If something isn't right when it arrives, email us at contact@ensiven.com and we'll help you with a full refund or exchange.

Can my child use it without me?

Sit with them for the first few sums. Each card shows the sum and two drawn hands, so once they know how it works, they can copy the fingers, count, and find the answer on their own.