Abacus is the oldest computer surviving more than 2,000 years. Until now, abacus remains a favourite math tool in the digital age. The unplugged (non-electrical) bead-based calculator is prosperous as a complement of modern computer and is now widely recognised as a means for effective maths learning and mental development in early childhood.
What is abacus mental math?
The "abacus math" is an arithmetic method based on the principles of abacus calculation. After working on an abacus for a while, a virtual picture of the abacus is formed in mind. One can use this picture of the abacus to perform calculations. It is not unusual for a person to handle a series of 5 or more digits numbers in +, -, x, or ÷ operations at highly accelerated speed using the abacus mental math method.
Why are you so emphatic in getting young children to learn abacus?
It has been discovered that human intelligence is largely determined by external environment, not just set by the genes. Everyone was born with an immature brain and has a long childhood for brain development. By the age of 10, the human brain can be 99% developed. Everyone has the chance to maximise the intelligence as long as the right learning experience was supplied during the prime times of the brain development. Remember, timing is crucial! Once the prime times have passed, opportunities for forging certain types of neural pathways appear to diminish substantially.
Abacus math establishes a clear logic concept of numbering for small children. The abacus mental picture training will increase memory power and sharpen mental formation for a child. The speed training enables the child to gain better reflexes. In addition, the speed hearing training encourages the child to give full attention to study by listening more attentively and effectively. Using an abacus requires coordination of the main nerves of a human body for eyes, ears, and fingers. Constant practicing on an abacus provides stimulations that is social responsive and intellectually congruent for growth of brain cells. Studies of brain have learned that the longer the exposure to the right kind of stimulations, the more the brain grows. The outcome for the abacus math program is brighter kids.
What ages are suitable for this abacus math program?
It depends on the purpose of the pupil. If the purpose is to promote the IQ effect by nourishing the rapidly growing neurons before the prime times end, it is better to start abacus learning at a young age that is before 10 years old or early. Anyone who can count from 0 to 10 and backward should be qualified to undertake the abacus math program. The earliest age to start the abacus math is normally about 4, 5 years old. Relative older people start to learn abacus normally can achieve at an advanced level in a short time and enjoy the lifelong benefit. .
How can the abacus mental math help the school work?
.Most of young children started to learn "numbers" by counting their fingers. It is difficult for them to comprehend numeric relationships beyond the number 10 for lack of countable objects. Using regular math, children use nothing but limited memory and brain power to solve arithmetic problems. Abacus presents multi-digit numeric relationships in a concrete bead-based system. Using an abacus, young children can relate number values and comprehend the concepts of mathematics easily. Therefore, the abacus math is far more superior to regular math that is presented to children in an abstract form. Abacus math establishes numeric relations in a clear and logical way for small children
Why bother learning the use of an abacus, when we have computers?
Abacus still remains a favourite math tool in the digital age. It is practical and economical .The unplugged (non-electrical) bead-based calculator is prosperous as a complement of modern computer and is also widely recognized as a mean for effective mental development in early childhood. Learning abacus math is very important because it is instrumental for developing optimal intelligence and lifetime skills of problem solving. Arithmetic skill can be trained in various ways. However, resolving a mathematical problem quickly and accurately is not always accomplished by every child. Abacus mental math enables a child to calculate without the aid of any instruments. A child will be able to calculate with speed and accuracy using his/her own mental power, anywhere, anytime. The abacus math program complements and supplements the arithmetic approaches adopted in schools and helps the students to be free from any fear of mathematics and gain better confidence.