All About Abacus Training

[venuschan]

hoo1688:

cimman:

I won't be too worried about maths calculation speed. Spend time on other things.

If you look at the upper primary forums on Maths, you will find that nobody complained that their kids took too much time in calculation and thus is unable to secure the A* grade. The key thing in maths is not about speed of calculation, but in analyzing the problem and coming up with a solution. This process of analyzing has nothing to do with calculation speed, but requires strong logical thinking, strong language skills, strong inference skills.

At the lower primary level, focus on these skill sets, analysis, language, an inquiring mind and an interest in learning.

At the upper primary level, calculators is allowed in the Maths exams, so students with good mental maths is not very much ahead of other students with calculators.

The same goes for memory skills. Having a photographic memory isn't going to help your child score in Maths or Science exams if the child is unable to analyze the questions and extrapolate what he or she already knows to answer the question. PSLE now focuses very much on higher order thinking skills and have moved beyond simple memorization and calculation efficiency.

I agree with you, speed in calculation may not be so important in math, but it is very important in some industries, especially the financial industry, can let you make money or lose money in a sec! From a gainer to a loser or from a loser to a gainer! Speed is very important in my job!

珠心算的速度能决定幼童数学的发展吗？ 不能
珠心算的速度能决定幼童科学思维的形成吗？ 不能
珠心算的速度能决定幼童的创造性吗？ 不能

但我的5岁女儿很想学珠心算! :salute:

Share a link on \"Research study shown that Abacus/Soroban training is imperative in Children's education\":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZORSQs8hvDU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[venuschan]

Another interesting link, Abacus vs Calculator


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj7XbnYrIk0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Yongz11]

Any recommendation where to go for abacus lesson for P1?

Thanks to share. :thankyou:

[Yongz11]

Tuition centre? :thankyou:

[Kayton.041897s mummy]

I believe abacus training helps a young child in building math foundation and it will not confuse him/her when he or she is entering primary 1.


Son had been having abacus training since he was 4.5 years old and he is going to primary 1 next year, so far, he is not confused when i gave him some math problems to tackle.

I do recommend parents of younger kids to send their children to abacus as early as possible.

[venuschan]

Kayton's mummy:

I believe abacus training helps a young child in building math foundation and it will not confuse him/her when he or she is entering primary 1.


Son had been having abacus training since he was 4.5 years old and he is going to primary 1 next year, so far, he is not confused when i gave him some math problems to tackle.

I do recommend parents of younger kids to send their children to abacus as early as possible.

Me too...as long as they're young and they've time so they've nothing to lose by picking up such minuscule skill.....let them play with numbers, let them explore, let them find out how they could complete a task within a short given time..The only gentle reminder to parents is this is only a counting SKILL, not an actual math...once we set our goal clear then WHY NOT!?

[FairyPenguin]

Strongly agree with Kayton's mummy that abacus training is useful to a young child for maths foundation. My DD has yet to start P1 (next year) so I'm unsure if her abacus background will confuse her learning in school. However, one thing for certain - she can now count so much faster & accurately than before. Previously, it's using fingers & when run out, toes as well


Yes, I'll also recommend parents to send their little ones for abacus classes once the child is able to write numerically from 1 to 10. Given time, the child will be able to count (add, subtract, multiply & divide) confidently by the time he/she goes to P1 :rahrah:

[micollh]

finger cross, DD has been with the abacus class for coming to 1 year now… she is quite good at the beads… so far the worksheet she did on the spot in class , always 100%, the worst she got is 1 wrong… at home, i teach maths using convention method, no abacus, she is fine… so i thk no confusion.

[venuschan]

Here in Malaysia the center that I go does provide questions that require the child to do not just abacus counting, mental maths but also with 3 pages of 25qs each with step-by-step counting procedures ( the child has to write out the steps) as in school, so the way I see in my DD’s workbook, it is quite comprehensive and pretty amazing bc they plan out the entire course to also check through child’s conventional step-by-step procedures…the problem with abacus is it’s too rigid a method.

[hellokittyspore]

Kayton's mummy:

I believe abacus training helps a young child in building math foundation and it will not confuse him/her when he or she is entering primary 1.


Son had been having abacus training since he was 4.5 years old and he is going to primary 1 next year, so far, he is not confused when i gave him some math problems to tackle.

I do recommend parents of younger kids to send their children to abacus as early as possible.

In Primary School, teacher expects student to provide working statements to explain how they solve the problem. I noticed that my nephew did not bother to write down the working statements as he is too used to mental calculation.

I believe you can send your child to abacus class but with guidance and supervision as the ways that the answer is derived will be different for students with abacus background.