Why Abacus Training Relevant Today

Why Abacus Training Relevant Today?

Most of the students consider Maths as one of the most difficult subjects in present day school curriculum. This aversion to Maths stems out of faulty learning technique, lack of learning readiness, indifferent attitude or due to a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) called dyscalculia , i.e difficulty in understanding correlation between relative position of numbers like units, tens, hundreds and so on and mixing up of symbols (like 'X' read as'+'). The cause is attributed to a deficit in cerebral right hemisphere processing of visual spatial stimuli. Due to a developmental lag of the right cerebral hemisphere of the brain. these children suffer from visual perceptual problems ,having difficulty to get total & comprehensive images, recall names or the number or simple multiplication tables. They are confused while doing basic mathematical functions like addition, subtraction as well as multiplication and division. They find geometry to be a big problem due to their inability to visualise angles  distances and part-whole relationships. Hence, they lose interest in studies and start manifesting emotional stress in the form of fatigue, loss of concentration, irritability or insomnia.

Research has revealed that in order to be functional in the four basic computational skills i.e addition, subtraction, multiplication a n d division, they need to grasp serial order processing, language ability, conceptual understanding etc. Maths  is one subject where moving to next step demands thorough mastery of previous learning, as each step is highly interconnected. Lack of this basic foundation generates in children a sense of helplessness, depression and aversion for the subject and subsequently an indifferent attitude towards studies. It is in this context that Indian Abacus and Mental Arithmetic System) with it's well structured training programme using abacus as a tool to help the child grasp the power of mental arithmetic has shown its relevance We live in an era of computers & Calculators and totally depend on them for anything and everything. What is overlooked is the fact that we carry within us, the best and the most complex of all computers, the human brain which is seldom put to optimum use, more so, the right cerebral hemisphere which controls the left limbs and processes visual spatial stimuli This vital part of the brain, governs the vital function of correct visual perceptual capability. By making the child use both hands and all fingers on Abacus to perform the basic computational functions of arithmetic, both hemispheres of brain get stimulated. Thus, the coordinated movement of fingers of both hands and both sides of brain facilitates balanced development of brain thus achieving a well synchronized and perfect body mind co-ordination. Once, the basics are well stored in the brain memory, by a great deal of repetition, practice, over teaching and overlearning,. These skills get imbibed, internalised and come automatically to the child without any effort or stress, as and when needed. Thereafter, he is able to do all these computational functions running to several digits and decimal points with out the help of Abacus mentally and almost instantaneously. What more,, is the positive impact of this programme on the overall development of personality. The child who gets his answers fast & correct(as the  child's performance is timed every session and accuracy closely monitored) certainly becomes more confident & assertive as he becomes more sure of himself. This gives tremendous boost to his confidence level and make him better equipped to face the challenges ahead. What more, in this process, Indian Abacus children attain enhanced memory, concentration,  comprehension and self confidence, which enables them to get over examination blues, somatoform disorders and other emotional problems caused by exam - related tensions.

N. Basheer Ahamed

Inventor – Indian Abacus