Abacus Maths

The abacus is an intelligent and enjoyable method used to enhance children's mathematical skills. It is widely regarded as the most efficient way to learn math, as it aids in the development of problem-solving abilities.

This ancient calculating tool, also known as the "Suanpan" in Chinese, has been utilized for over 2,000 years. It is a multi-sensory device that enables children to grasp mathematical concepts easily and with interest.

The abacus consists of a wooden frame that is divided into upper and lower sections by a horizontal bar. Vertical wires are attached to the frame, with beads arranged from top to bottom. The upper section of the wires is known as the "heaven" or upper deck, while the area below the bar is referred to as the "Earth" or lower deck.

Each bead on the abacus has a specific value. The lower bead represents a value of one, while the upper bead represents a value of five. This method allows for the performance of various mathematical operations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, as well as the extraction of square roots and cubic roots.

Why is Abacus called mental maths?

In the abacus, the kids are asked to mentally visualize an abacus to carry out mathematical calculations. In the abacus method, the kids mentally move the beads to do the math and gain the ability to calculate extraordinarily large numbers at an expert level with tremendous speed and accuracy. Not only that they are also prepared to solve problems outside of arithmetic. With the abacus method, the kids do not have to memorize as they learn the skills of visualizing the problems, which fosters the child’s imagination.

Advantage of Abacus maths

• Higher sense of reasoning power – The abacus learning tool doesn’t need a pencil and paper or mechanical calculators as it relies on visual working memory.

• It improves concentration – it is normal for the child to get distracted especially while they are learning math, but in abacus math, the child gets more focused and starts visualizing the movements of beads in mind. This exercise helps the child to apply the same logic in their day-to-day lives thereby increasing their concentration.

• Development of long- and short-term memory – with an abacus the child learns to analyze and solve complex calculations mentally and when they apply the same technique to the other subjects outside mathematics they are in well position to solve it with ease as it keeps the child’s mind sharp.

• Critical thinking skills – abacus math helps the child improve hand-eye coordination which stimulates the right side of the brain. Such child becomes multi-tasking and performs well in other extracurricular activities such as sports, music, and other subjects that enhance mind development and the capability of “thinking out of the box”

• Self–reliance – once the child develops the skill of problem-solving on their own, their sense of confidence grows higher encouraging them to solve the problems one after another on their own.

Abacus for Kids

Our brain development reaches its peak during early childhood, making it the ideal time to start our education. By mastering skills at a young age, we can carry them with us throughout our lives. This is where the abacus comes in. The abacus is a powerful tool for enhancing mental math abilities, enabling us to solve a wide range of mathematical calculations, from simple decimals to complex square roots and cube roots.

Abacus Math or School Math

Parents often wonder if abacus math will clash with school math. However, it is important to note that there is no need for such confusion as abacus math does not disrupt school math. On the contrary, it enables children to mentally solve problems with exceptional speed and accuracy, eliminating the need for manual tools and enhancing their thinking abilities. Additionally, it alleviates academic stress and fosters the development of cognitive skills, leading to remarkable progress in the child's education.

What is the right age to learn Abacus?

There is no specific age requirement for learning Abacus math, as it is an enjoyable method to enhance a child's mathematical skills. It is suggested that children can begin learning Abacus between the ages of 4 to 5 years old up to 14 years old. During this period, the focus is on making learning fun, such as through activities like chanting numbers, and introducing concepts based on their comprehension level. As they progress, we gradually introduce basic concepts. Once they have a solid understanding of the fundamentals and concepts, they can advance to more advanced techniques.