Mathematics may not be every student’s favorite subject (often due to some misplaced preconceptions and unwarranted fear). But, it is a subject or an essential skill required in matters of everyday life. From counting money change, to deciding on the quickest route for travel, or calculating time between various daily tasks, maths turns into a constant companion.
Hence ensuring focus on the subject from the very young age of learning helps with a proper command over the fundamentals. A proactive approach adopted by parents and educators ensures that children are sensitized about the importance of maths in everyday life and motivated to improve their math skills.
Having some skill in math, particularly mental math – the ability to perform mathematical calculations in one’s mind – can thus help save time and make life a lot easier. This is one reason why educators have come up with mental math programs that familiarize students with visualization techniques that contribute towards removing any fear of math with the relevant skills.
Visualization of a math problem
Visualization is an effective technique to help improve mathematical ability. This skill is quickly absorbed by children at a young age, as brain development happens mostly at that stage. With practice, learners are able to enhance their speed and capacity of visualization with improved focus and concentration, arriving at answers at a quicker pace and with better accuracy.
The Abacus Method:
The Abacus method helps to develop effective mental math skills using the concept of visualising the beads of the abacus while solving mathematical problems in their minds. Training young learners with the Abacus method leads to benefits that are not just limited to the domain of mathematics. The method can enhance the cognitive ability of its practitioners, making them better equipped for learning.
Leveraging the benefits of abacus for children:
Children can be taught the skill of visualization more easily than adults. They are generally more receptive to conditioning and learning, aided by a drive for imagination and curiosity. This fact can be leveraged by teaching children the Abacus method. Such early intervention can help in creating high mental math capabilities in children, a skill that can stay with them for the long-term. This will ensure that they are able to lead more productive and efficient lives by traversing the mathematical requirements in a quick and effortless manner.
Sharmila Suresh is the Program Director and an Abacus instructor for over 3 years. Her philosophy is to create an environment that fosters the importance of learning and a strong work ethic. She is very passionate and teaches from the heart while allowing students to discover their abilities and mould them into confident individuals.