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What Are The Benefits Of Abacus For Kids?
Do you want to teach your students Maths interactively? Introducing them to Abacus can help a ton. Abacus is a device used for quick computing or counting that finds its origins in the 16th or 17th century and is widely used in Asia and Africa to teach young children mathematical calculations. It has been a device that’s effective in helping kids build a keen interest and confidence in the subject and also accompanies a host of benefits for their holistic learning.
JBM Smart Start is among the best schools in Greater Noida West that recognizes all the many advantages of using an abacus in learning and teaches students how to calculate on an abacus to build a solid foundation in Mathematics. Let’s decode what is the use of Abacus and know exactly why your kids should learn Maths through it.
What is Abacus?
Abacus is a simple device, often used for calculating. It consists of a frame with rows of wires or grooves along which beads are slid to do calculations. Mesopotamians invented the first version of an abacus. You would be amazed to know that some centuries back, the abacus was the most utilized and the fastest way of solving Maths problems.
What is The Purpose of The Abacus?
An abacus is a calculation tool used to perform mathematical functions. The device can be employed for performing the basic arithmetic functions of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. In addition to these, the abacus can also be used to calculate roots up to the cubic degree. The purpose of an abacus is to make difficult calculations easier for kids.
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Structure of An Abacus
You can find an abacus, constructed of various types of hardwoods. It is also available in varying sizes. The abacus structure has a series of vertical rods on which wooden beads slide freely. A horizontal beam divides the frame into two sections – the upper deck and the lower deck. Students can gain many benefits by learning an abacus. Here is a list of 11 merits of introducing kids to abacus at an early age. Take a peek!
1. Better Concentration
When a kid learns to do calculations using an abacus, they learn to focus better on the problem at hand and not get distracted by what’s around them. Once they have mastered the abacus, students move on to visualizing the abacus in their mind and doing calculations on it which further increases their ability to concentrate.
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2. Strengthens Memory
Abacus fuels a child to have a photographic memory as it requires them to memorize many images in their head as they solve the problems using abacus in their head. They need to remember the last image that gives them the final answer before they tell so that it can be tallied and this improves their memory.
3. Speed & Accuracy in Calculations
As the child grows up and sit for various competitive exams, virtual abacus computation will help them beat the time crunch and perform better in them. They will be able to come up with accurate results faster through abacus.
4. Enhances Listening Skills
While solving a mental math problem, kids are told the numbers only once and are required to remember them and do their calculations on their own. This demands them to observe the abacus keenly in the learning stages and hone their listening skills to attack the problem quickly in their head.
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5. Elevates Confidence
With improved mental computing abilities which are recognized by the kids’ parents, teachers, relatives, school management, and more, children develop a strong sense of being good at problem-solving and confidently solve mathematical problems. This ensures that they don’t develop math phobia which a lot of kids have.
6. Stimulates Imagination
Once the basics of the abacus are done, students are encouraged to do a virtual abacus i.e. using the abacus in their head rather than in real life. This stimulates their imagination and visualisation skills which translates to help them in other subjects as well.
7. Strong Foundation
Abacus equips kids to deal with future challenges that are thrown their way confidently. It embeds into the child’s psyche that they can tackle any problem with their mental capabilities and lays a strong foundation for children to excel in their academics.
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8. Develops Gross Motor Skills
Learning the abacus is a sensory experience. It involves the use of children’s hands in sliding the beads and calculating and helps them develop their gross motor skills when they are young while ensuring better brain function.
9. Fun and Interactive Learning
For kids, abaccus is a game that they love to play which like any other game has simple rules to follow. It engages the kids fully and makes learning interesting, ensuring there is an element of fun in all that they learn and with joy and glee, children learn to calculate the numbers and solve sums.
10. Helps Destress
Abacus stimulates brain activities and is a fun way to solve mathematical problems using the device and later on, in one’s head. It helps kids unwind and take on challenges for fun. Learning Mathematics is no longer monotonous with the use of Abacus.
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11. Builds Analytical Skills
By learning to use an abacus, children develop sharp problem-solving skills. They exercise and hone their critical thinking and analytical skills as they form patterns and relationships among the numbers that they are competing with.
Conclusion
Learning how to use Abacus can prove to be an essential skill that teaches kids to do mental Maths and have a strong foundation in the subject. That is why JBM Smart Start acknowledges the advantages of abacus for kids and introduces it to them early on.
Frequently Asked Questions
The abacus is a computing device that can prove to be very useful for kids as the benefits of the abacus are many. It stimulates kids’ imagination, helps them get creative, helps them solve mathematical problems fast, develops gross motor and analytical skills, builds a keen interest in Mathematics, and much more.
Children as young as 4 years of age can start to learn abacus to compute and do basic arithmetic operations. Abacus should be introduced to young children as it helps them develop gross motor skills as well.
