Abacus for Whole Brain Development
Abacus is a counting device that has been believed to be used from 770 B.C in China. The soroban (Japanese Abacus) was introduced into Japan from China about 450 years ago. Abacus was used in place of calculator. Now Abacus is used for whole Brain Development. It is very obvious that with proper training methodology and regular training any child can become Genius by Abacus Training. But this is possible only with the right trainers with right attitude.
Mazhaithuligal Abacus Training is a successful time tested program. We started the Abacus Training at Salem in 2001. More than 17000 children have benefitted by this training program for the past 20 years. We are the pioneers in Abacus Training in and around Salem Districts. We have been awarded as “The Best Abacus Training Centre in India “ for 7 times. Our trainers have been awarded as “The Best Abacus Trainers “. Thousands of prizes have been won by our children in All India Abacus Competitions in the past 20 years.Thousands of our children have got Abacus Graduation after successfully completing the whole course ( 2 1/2 years ).
Our syllabus for Abacus training is exclusively designed by the experts in the field. It is the first of its kind in India. Unlike the syllabus being handled by various abacus centers in India our syllabus is designed with scientific means in the manner how a human brain behaves with images and numbers. The children who are attending this training have consistently shown tremendous development in a very short period. Our children have attained unbelievable mental skills with less effort.
The Zhusuan, otherwise known as the Chinese abacus was officially listed as an intangible cultural heritage at the 8th Annual UNESCO World Heritage Congress on December 4th in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Click to view the Performance of our kids at each level
A Detailed Article about Abacus Training
We (Mr.Murali & Mrs.Shanthi Murali) – among the very few most experienced Abacus Trainers in India since 2001 with a training experience of training 1000s of children in the past 20 years. Even though there is no scientific proof so far, it is evident that the Abacus Training enhances the mental skills of the children to a greater extent and the performance of the children seems to be magic. This article is written purely on the experience by training 1000s of children (More than 17000) in the past 20 years and the facts what we are experiencing in our day-to-day life and not based on the articles provided by others. We hope that this article would help the children, parents and even Abacus Trainers to understand that abacus training is for Brain development and not for mathematics and calculations.
What is Abacus ?
Abacus is a counting device. This device is said to be used since 4th century. Abacus has been used in different forms ranging from kids abacus to modern abacus for advanced calculations. There were different kinds of abacus used in various parts of the world. It was very popular in eastern countries such as China, Japan, Taiwan, India etc. Recently UNESCO has Inscribed in 2013 (8.COM) on the [https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/chinese-zhusuan-knowledge-and-practices-of-mathematical-calculation-through-the-abacus-00853 Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity]]. UNESCO has announced that Abacus(Zhusuan) is the cultural heritage of China.
Calculations
Abacus can be used to perform Arithmetic Operations like Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division. Now experts in Abacus are able to perform square, roots and more number of calculations which includes negative and decimal values.
Nomenclature
Abacus has different names used in different parts of the world : Zhusuan, Soroban, Suanpan, Roman abacus, Binary abacus, Russian abacus, Cranmer abacus, Mani Chattam etc
People Benefited
Children from 4 to 12 years are trained with abacus for Whole Brain Development. It is being used by adults instead of calculators in the eastern countries. Blind people use special type of abacus for calculations.
Abacus Training for Kids
Since olden days, abacus was used to perform mere calculations only. Abacus was used physically for calculations. Later many abacus organizations (Zhusuan Association, WAAMA – World Abacus And Mental Arithmetic Association, Trade Chamber of Taiwan, etc) were formed worldwide who were responsible to spread the Abacus training worldwide. But for the past 25 years, after the introduction of modern abacus, abacus training is given to kids for “Whole Brain Development” throughout the world. The mental skills of the children are enhanced and the inherent potential of the children is brought out. There are many Abacus Companies around the world with their own syllabus and it is in the hands of the trainer to get best results from the children.
Development in Child – Abacus training not for calculations
If the child is trained in a proper method, and if the child undergoes practice regularly , then the child gets unbelievable skills apparently. The child can calculate even 10 digit numbers mentally including all Arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division faster than calculator. That is why people think that abacus training is meant for calculations an mathematics. But this is not true. You need not spend much time and money for mere calculations. Nowadays we have calculators and computers for fast calculations.
How abacus helps in brain development ?
By proper training methods and regular practice the mental skills – Memory, Concentration, listening, observation, Visualization, Analyzing ability, Logic and reasoning, correlation, Speed reading, Cognitive skills, Speed in decision making, Imaging skills, Imagination, Creativity, Effective Body-Mind Coordination, Activation of Both Right & Left Brain and so on are enhanced within the child.
The demonstration of the Abacus trained children is done by doing Mental Arithmetic Calculations. For Example, if 20 numbers are called out faster, the child (even 6 years old) can answer the sum of all the 20 numbers immediately within seconds. Even adults can’t calculate so fast even using calculator. Then what makes the child answer so fast ?
Secret behind the Mental Arithmetic
- Concentration/Listening/Observation – When 20 or more numbers are called out, the child has to listen with full concentration without missing the numbers.
- Visualization – The Child can perform mental arithmetic manipulation only if he/she can visualize the Abacus beads (Even 10 Digits).
- Analyzing Ability – There are 38 techniques to apply while doing calculations with abacus. When the numbers are called out faster the child has to decide which technique is applicable and then apply that technique within fraction of a second.
- Memory – When 20 or more numbers are called out, the child has to visualize the number as abacus beads (Not as number), Keep it in mind, apply technique for the next number and remember the answer and this process goes on for 20 times repeatedly until which the child has to retain them in memory
- Correlation – The child has to convert the number as image of beads in abacus and then the abacus beads image into number while answering.
A child can answer the sum of 20 or more numbers within seconds mentally only if he/she possess all these skills. If a child answers correctly, it shows that he/she has enhanced these mental skills. The skills range from 1 Digit (Beginning Level) to 10 Digit and from 5 numbers to 100 numbers depending on their practice. The more numbers show the depth of concentration and the Number of Digits show the span of Visualization.
Overall Benefits
After practicing regularly for 2 years:
Speed Memory – The memory of the child will be in such a way that it memorizes very faster when compared to its peer group, and retains in the memory for long period comparatively.
Concentration – The child is able to concentrate for nearly 6 hours continuously what other children can’t even imagine.
Multitasking – The multitasking is very common with these children. The children can manipulate even while singing or talking to others simultaneously. This is impossible for others.
Visualization – The child can visualize any thing he/she imagines , which is the seat of creativity. This is totally nil with other children nowadays.
Brain-Body Coordination – Children with nervous problem, Slow learners have shown a remarkable development and become more competent to other normal children.
Scientific Analysis
Here, we focus on abacus-based mental calculation (AMC), a specific skill utilized for mental calculations. Abacus, a traditional calculation device that represents numbers by the visuospatial locations of beads (Figure 1), has been widely used in Asian countries to facilitate arithmetic operations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and even root calculations. Importantly, skilled abacus players can perform fast and accurate arithmetic operations not only with the use of a physical abacus but also by the manipulation of an imaginary abacus in the mind (Frank and Barner, 2012). This skill is called AMC, which can be acquired through intensive training. During the training, students are first instructed to memorize the verbal principles of abacus operations; then they are trained to perform calculations by operating beads on a physical abacus; after long-term practice, they can get rid of the use of a physical abacus and learn to manipulate imaginary abacus beads in their minds by moving fingers in the air; finally, they are able to perform AMC as fast as possible without actual finger movements. Moreover, the abacus teachers can adjust the difficulty levels of the arithmetic practice in a step-by-step manner to help students gradually develop a high level of AMC capacity. For instance, AMC beginners are instructed to solve relatively easy arithmetic problems such as a list of 3 one-digit numbers, while experienced AMC users are trained to solve very complicated arithmetic problems such as a list of 10 four-digit numbers. Such an adaptive training on AMC can continuously challenge many cognitive processes, which may thus exert transfer effects to other cognitive abilities.
Courtesy : https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2020.00913/full
Other Useful Links…
Neural correlates of serial abacus mental calculation in …
Research Article Transfer effects of abacus training on …
Abacus Training Affects Math and Task Switching Abilities and …
Association between Abacus Training and Improvement in …
Effect of abacus training on maths anxiety – National Journal of ..
Effect of abacus training on executive function development
Children skilled in mental abacus show enhanced
The Impact of Abacus on Mathematic Learning
abacus mental addition: Topics by Science.gov
=== Conclusion===
Abacus instrument is commonly available everywhere. Anobody can use it. But the skill depends on proper training and practice only. The experience of the trainer and the interest of the child are the key points to note.