Currently, Soroban mental math is an extremely popular method for teaching math to preschoolers. To learn more about the benefits this learning style offers children and important considerations during the teaching process, let’s explore this article with AVAKids!

What is Soroban Mental Math?

Where did the Soroban math learning method originate?

What is Soroban math? Soroban mental math is a method of rapid mental calculation using an ancient abacus originating from China. Around the 1600s, this abacus made its way to Japan.

The Soroban abacus operates with a unique mechanism, which led the Japanese to develop an extremely fast mental calculation method. To this day, it remains an effective method for teaching preschoolers mental math and training their brains.

Soroban mental math is a method that helps children train their thinking and intellect very effectively

Structure of the Soroban Abacus

The Soroban abacus is made of wood with horizontal bars placed parallel to each other to form a rectangle. Each abacus is divided into two parts, with the lower part three times larger than the upper part. The axis dividing the two parts is called the beam. For calculation purposes, colored wooden beads are strung onto the abacus and can be moved.

Rules for Representing Numbers on the Soroban Abacus

The numbers on the Soroban abacus are represented as follows:

• Number 0: 1 bead placed at the bottom, 5 beads placed at the top.
• Numbers 1 – 4: Push 1 – 4 beads to the top of the abacus.
• Number 5: Move the top beads to touch the beam.
• Numbers greater than 5: The bottom row of the abacus holds 5 beads, then move one bead at a time to the top of the abacus.

Should Children Learn Soroban Math?

Many parents wonder whether they should let their children learn Soroban mental math. To answer this question, AVAKids will explore the benefits this learning method can bring to children:

Soroban math helps children love math

By being exposed to Soroban mental math from a young age, children can improve their calculation skills, learn math better, and consequently love math more. They also become more confident, less shy, and less afraid and pressured when learning math.

Soroban math helps stimulate comprehensive brain development

Children’s brains tend to favor one hemisphere. According to research, Soroban math can be very effective in helping children balance both hemispheres of the brain. Studies also show that learning math from a young age significantly impacts brain development. As a result, children who are familiar with math from an early age are often more intelligent than their peers.

Soroban math helps children practice concentration skills

Soroban math helps children practice and improve concentration

Scientists say the calculations used in Soroban mental math often require children to memorize and stimulate both hemispheres of the brain to work at “full capacity.” Therefore, learning math with the Soroban abacus can help children concentrate more effectively.

Soroban mental math helps children practice analytical skills

When learning Soroban math, numbers are read very quickly. Therefore, the most important thing is how to process information in a short amount of time without mixing up the numbers. Although it can be difficult for children to do this right away, with a little time and practice in analytical skills, they will gradually get used to it and do math more accurately.

The Soroban math method helps children form a foundation for thinking

Children need to build a foundation for thinking from a young age to create a solid “springboard” for their future. Accordingly, Soroban math will help children practice thinking skills and stimulate the brain to work more productively. Besides, children’s reflexes and concentration with numbers also become sharper when they are exposed to the Soroban abacus.

When Can Children Start Learning Soroban Mental Math?

Children’s brains often develop and mature very early; around 5-6 years old, the brain can be fully developed. According to experts, depending on each child’s development, the time to learn Soroban mental math will vary, however, the best time is when the child is 4-6 years old.

Tools Needed to Learn Soroban Math

If you want to teach your child Soroban math at home, you need to prepare some of the following tools and materials:

• Soroban abacus
• Notebook
• Smart devices with internet connection for children to watch instructions on YouTube
• Pencils/pens
• Eraser
• Desk and chair for studying

Kachi MK296 Anti-Hunchback Student Desk and Chair Set

How to Teach Children Soroban Math Simply at Home

Soroban is a math learning method that not all children enjoy at first. Therefore, parents need to be very patient. To teach children Soroban mental math at home, you can refer to the following steps:

• Place the Soroban abacus on the study table, move the units in the top row up, and push the beads in the bottom row down.
• Move a few beads from bottom to top and from top to bottom.
• Let the child observe and guide them to do as you just did.
• Repeat the steps from the beginning so the child gradually gets used to it.

Tip: To keep the child from getting bored, after each calculation, you can vary the ways of pushing the beads.

Some Notes When Teaching Preschoolers Soroban Mental Math

For Soroban mental math to be most effective, parents need to keep in mind the following points during the teaching process:

Choose the right time

The ideal age for children to get acquainted with and learn Soroban math is between 4 and 11 years old. Therefore, if parents start too early or too late, this educational method may not be effective.

Don’t follow trends blindly

Not all children are suited to learning Soroban mental math. Therefore, parents need to choose methods suitable for their child’s abilities and developmental pace. Avoid following trends, which can overwhelm children with knowledge and make them fearful of learning and school.

In addition, constantly changing learning methods will also prevent children from adapting in time, leading to “rote learning” and not remembering which method they are learning.

Parents need to gently teach children, absolutely do not get angry or force children to learn according to trends

Don’t have unrealistic expectations

Soroban mental math is simply a set of quick calculation tricks and formulas. Children can calculate correctly but may not fully understand the nature of the calculation. Therefore, parents should not have unrealistic expectations and should carefully consider whether to let their children learn Soroban math.

Do not punish children when they don’t understand or are slow to understand

This is an extremely important note when teaching children Soroban math or any other subject. For adults, the basic problems that children encounter may be very simple, but for children, they can be a difficult “monster” to overcome.

So instead of scolding your child, be patient and gently explain things to them. Praise them whenever they do well. However, praising preschoolers should also be appropriate, avoiding making children overconfident.

Undeniably, Soroban mental math offers many benefits for children. However, parents need to carefully consider before letting their children learn Soroban math, as well as any other method, to avoid making children uncomfortable and fearful of learning.