Step-by-Step: How does Abacus boost Mental Math Skills

When we hear the word Abacus, what is the first thought that comes to our mind? Maybe a physical rectangular tool (often made of plastic or wood) with beads, or some technique to learn calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), or an alternate technique to learn math concepts? While all of this is true, let’s understand a little more about Abacus today.

An interesting fact that most parents may not be aware about is that Abacus is a proven Brain-Development Technique that tremendously boosts the ability to concentrate and focus. As a result kids are able to mentally do the calculations (without a paper and pen) and are often called as human calculators once they master the advanced levels. Let’s do a little deep dive into how does Abacus boosts concentration.

Understanding How the Abacus Works Step by Step

• In simple terms, Abacus is a physical tool with beads, and kids change the position of beads to represent different numbers. 
• Once a child learns to represent the numbers on the physical tool, the next most important step is to do the same representation using Visualization (often called Air-Brushing).
• Visualization technique is at the core of Abacus, since the child imagines and creates a picture of physical tool in his mind, and for every calculation step, he changes the position of beads in his mind to represent the answer, and stores that new image in his mind.
• As soon he positions the beads for last step, he immediately interprets the number and shares the answer.

Let’s take an example of 3 + 5 + 7

• Step1: Child imagines the tool in the default position
  
• Step2: When we tell him the first number as 3, he mentally moves the beads to represent number 3 as shown in image below
  
• Step3: When we ask the child to add 5 as a next step, he applies the Abacus formula (that he would have learnt in his Abacus classes) to add 5 to the earlier number, and creates the following image in his mind
• Step4: When we ask the child to add 7 as a next step, he applies the Abacus formula (that he would have learnt in his Abacus classes) to add 7 to the earlier number, and creates the following image in his mind

The last image shown above actually represents the result, which is “15” in our case. So the child is able to instantly provide the answer as 15, since at every step he has the answer ready based on the image of Abacus Tool.

Hand-Eye-Ear Coordination Technique

If you have seen any child doing the` arithmetic calculations via visualization (refer to our video gallery section for some amazon demonstration of our current students), you would notice that the child also does the finger movement at every step. The finger movement is basically to change the position of beads to represent the numbers (its just that instead of actual tool he is setting the image of tool in his mind). So overall the Abacus Visualization technique is based on Hand-Eye-Ear coordination (which is a very effective and proven brain exercise to boost the concentration and ability to focus).

As a parent from the naked eye we are only able to see the child developing the ability to perform arithmetic calculations mentally. However, let’s not be mistaken; this is just one of the tangible benefits visible to us. As a result of brain development and much stronger ability to focus, we cannot even imagine the numerous advantages that a child will actually get in his entire life for e.g. photogenic memory, ability to retain any information for a longer period, fast retention of new concepts etc.

As a result, he gets a competitive edge over his peers and gains the much needed self-confidence, which is a true lifetime gift to him.

Now let’s look at the key benefits that Abacus brings to the table:

• Boost self-confidence
• Boost concentration
• Much higher speed as well as accuracy to do all arthmetic calculations mentally, without a paper and pen
• Boost listening skills and thus helps the child to do much better and quality conversations
• Continuous brain development since Abcaus works on a technique that stimulates the brain via air-brushing and visualization methods
• Removes fear of maths from children’s mind
• Develops photogenic memory

Interesting facts

• Even in today’s modern world, kids learn from Abacus-based educational toys at a very young age in a fun way. This proves the effectiveness of Abacus technique for young children
• Many countries like Japan even today use Abacus in their schools to teach arithmetic operations and help regular competetions where kids compete and do large arithmetic problems without using a calculator and without paper and pen
• Some of the shopkeepers in countries like Japan still use the Abacus tool instead of a modern age digital calculator, since they are used to Abacus technique and are not dependent on calculators.

Conclusion

With proper professional guidance, a child gradually develops the ability to use both hands simultaneously for finger movements (instead of just one hand) and perform calculations at such a fast pace that it feels almost unbelievable unless seen live. A child can give answers at an exceptionally rapid speed, which is why abacus-trained students are often referred to as human calculators.

At Mathcruise, this learning process is guided by experienced trainers using structured and child-friendly methods. It is one of the most highly recommended courses that every child in the age group of 5–15 years should pursue to build a strong foundation in mathematics and make numbers their best friends.

About Mathcruise

Our chief trainer Meenu Gupta, is an internationally certified Vedic Maths expert (learn more about her by clicking About Us > Overview and read more about her insights in leading daily newspapers by clicking on ‘In the News’). We provide online courses for all math streams, such as the Online Abacus Course and Vedic Maths for kids in addition to regular school math. Please reach out to us to explore more and discuss any queries. If you are looking for ‘Abacus classes for kids‘ or ‘Maths Olympiad for class 4‘ we specialize in all kinds of math curriculam for the age group 5-15 years. Our new batches are starting soon, so act today.

Tanmay Gupta

Tanmay Gupta, a specialist in mathematics, possesses a deep passion for the subject. He has been involved with Mathcruise since its inception and takes pride in being a part of the growing Mathcruise family. Tanmay excels in both Abacus and Vedic Mathematics and is particularly interested in developing innovative methods to effectively engage with children, aiming to eliminate their fear of mathematics.