Einstein Kidz Abacus

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Abacus is an ancient tool used for arithmetic computations. Learning Abacus will stimulate the development of the right brain at an early stage, helping in developing one’s ability to perform mental calculation. This tool aids children’s concentration, speed, memory, accuracy, learning and development.

How does the abacus help in mental maths or mental arithmetic?

Abacus is a tool that works with your sensors to create a picture memory, through process and order, thereby, helping a child visualise numbers and related calculations. At each stage, a child progresses and with practice, the child’s ability to do mental arithmetic increases as does the speed and accuracy. This results in increased confidence and a passion for maths.

Why is mental arithmetic important?

Arithmetic is vital for helping young children build a solid academic foundation for maths. Teachers who work with young children know that it is difficult to introduce the concept of numbers and their values. It is a long learning process that requires clarity and order using the whole brain. Many children struggle to understand numeric relationships without using a concrete object such as an abacus. When using the abacus through a sequence of introducing maths in stages, our understanding of numeric relationships and their values become clearer, and we increase our ability to use the power of our brain to solve problems.

Learning this skill is essential for more than maths alone as it effectively develops the untapped parts of brain, promoting overall intelligence. According to the scientific research, a child who lacks proper mental formation can experience a sharp decline in mental abilities even at the age of 20. On the other hand, a child who receives this formation by the age of 12 will continue to remain alert and sharp even up to the age of 70.

What are the advantages of learning EKA abacus mental arithmetic?

Learning EKA abacus mental arithmetic can:

Improve the accuracy and speed of computing skill or logical reasoning
Build stronger memory power
Promote longer concentration span
Enhance imaging skills or photographic memory
Create higher learning capability and self-esteem
Increase the level and speed of understanding (comprehension)
Have better sense of observation and visualisation power
Sharpen sound judgement and hearing skill
Reduce stress and enjoy fun learning

Why is mental arithmetic important?

Learning this skill is essential for more than maths alone as it effectively develops the untapped parts of brain, promoting overall intelligence. According to the scientific research, a child who lacks proper mental formation can experience a sharp decline in mental abilities even at the age of 20. On the other hand, a child who receives this formation by the age of 12 will continue to remain alert and sharp even up to the age of 70.

How does mental arithmetic help in school mathematics?

Children, who have this skill, are generally ahead of their peers in comprehension and ability, and while our program has the Australian curriculum in mind, it is designed to develop the brain as a whole, providing confidence and the ability to perform mental maths with speed and accuracy. Professor Huang GuoRong from the National Changhua University of Education in Taiwan studied the effects of abacus mental arithmetic education on children’s academic performance in areas of mathematical abilities and comprehensibility. He reported these startling discoveries:

Children who have undergone mental arithmetic classes achieved far better results than other students who have not taken part in such training, in areas such as comprehension, mathematical abilities, including recognising and understanding mathematical concepts, calculating skills, and mathematical problem-solving skills, analytical performance, and IQ tests.
Students who have had one to two years of training in mental arithmetic are found to possess a better grasp of mathematical concepts, calculations, and are more efficient in solving mathematical problems than those who have less than one year’s training. Students with more than two year's training showed even better results. Indicating that the longer a child is exposed to such training, the better their mathematical abilities.

Why one should learn abacus while calculators and computers are available for computing numbers in today’s world?

Although calculators and computers have primarily replaced manual human power in computing numbers, learning abacus can be beneficial for every child as it is instrumental in developing the whole brain and lifetime skills. Using the abacus requires coordination of the central nervous system of the human body; such as sight, sound, and finger movement which will induce the growth of brain cells. The mind undergoes three main stages of development (physical contact, logical explanation, and visualisation) throughout the process, and the abacus acts as a medium that connects these three stages. More than 80% of the world's population is right-handed which means they have a stronger developed left-brain and weaker developed right brain. Conversely, with left-handed people, the opposite applies. This means most people do not use their brain to its full capacity. This program helps to develop both sides of the brain and allows children to improve the use of their whole brain at a young age, setting them up for future academic growth.

Here are some key points to consider:
1) Children who have undergone mental arithmetic training achieved far better results than other students who have not taken part in such training, the longer the training the stronger their abilities, performance and development. Indicating that the longer a child is exposed to such training, the better his or her mathematical skills, including recognising and understanding mathematical concepts, calculating abilities, and mathematical problem-solving skills, analytical performance, and IQ tests.
2) EKA teachers will advise and help guide parents in assisting their children in their learning of fundamental concepts like techniques of beads, manipulation and calculating involving the four operations of numbers.
3) Our training develops confidence, focus, order and process and promotes the love of maths.
4) We include games in our program that assists in the process of learning and engagement, creating a fun environment for learning.
5) We recognise and work with each individual's abilities, working with their strengths, while working to enhance the areas that need improvement.
6) EKA Abacus is committed to strengthening overall academic ability and confidence, by developing the whole brain thinker, our approach allows every student to grow as individuals in a happy and safe environment, where every individual is valued.

As parents, we are not trained and have little knowledge of the abacus. How do we teach or guide our children at home?

There are four ways in which we assist parents:

1. Children who have undergone mental arithmetic classes achieved far better results than other students who have not taken part in such training in areas such as comprehension, mathematical abilities (including recognising and understanding mathematical concepts, calculating abilities, and mathematical problem solving skills), mathematical performance, and IQ tests.
2. Students who have had one to two years of training in mental arithmetic are found to possess a better grasp of mathematical concepts, calculations, and are more efficient in solving mathematical problems than those who have less than one year’s training. Students with more than two year's training showed even better results. Thus this indicates that the longer a child is exposed to such training, the better his mathematical abilities.
3. Regular feedback. EKA teachers will advise and help guide parents in assisting their children in their learning on key concepts like techniques of beads manipulation and calculating involving the four operations of numbers.