Finger Gnosis,Movements and Numeral Representations Contribute to Numerical Cognition

Finger is the most frequently used tool for numeral representations before children grasp symbolic numbers. Considerable studies have revealed the important contribution of finger to numerical cognition. However, it is still unclear about the cognitive mechanism of how finger influences numerical cognition. The article reviews the role of fingers in numerical cognition based on three aspects: finger gnosis,finger movements and finger numeral representations. It is possible that finger gnosis facilitates the development of number representations which influences other mathematical abilities. Finger movement related to magnitude representation may help to process numerical magnitude. There are two controversial viewpoints about the roles of finger numeral representations in numerical cognition. One is that finger numeral representations promote the conversion from non-symbolic number representations to symbolic number representations. The other is that finger numeral representations may be one of semantic quantity representations. Future studies should be devoted to developmental studies,mechanism,and gender difference to investigate the functional role of finger in numerical cognition.