It
is difficult to imagine counting without numbers, but there was a time when
written numbers did not exist. The earliest counting device was the human hand
and its fingers, the feet and toes. Merchants who traded goods not only needed
a way to count goods they bought and sold, but also to calculate the cost of
those goods. Until numbers were invented, counting devices were used to make
everyday calculations. The Abacus is one of the many counting devices invented
to help count large numbers. The person operating the Abacus performs
calculations in their head and uses the Abacus as a physical aid to keep track
of the sums, the carry’s, etc.
Abacus is a Latin word
that has its origins in the Greek words abax or abakon (meaning
"table" or "tablet"). The Abacus ( plural, abaci)also
called a counting frame is a calculating tool that was in use centuries before
the adoption of the written modern numerical system and is still widely used by
merchants, traders and clerks in Asia, Africa and elsewhere. Today abaci are
often constructed as a bamboo frame with beads sliding on wires, but originally
they were beans or stones moved in grooves in sand or on tablets of wood, stone
or metal. The user of abacus is called an abacist.
Abacus is already
becoming a popular trend in countries like Japan and China, is fast catching up
in India as well. A concept which has been around since centuries, the Abacus
is becoming a popular mental development tool once again. Around the world, abaci
have been used in pre schools and elementary schools as an aid in teaching the
numeral system and arithmetic .Capturing the interest of your child by using colourful
beads, the Abacus employs these beads making the child use them as numbers and
produce results by manipulating the beads. Abacus education not only helps your
child improve calculation but also helps the child visualize the problem and
then work out the result. Having been around since ages, the Abacus is a
universally accepted tool. Abacus coaching can be started with children
starting kindergarten till they are about 4 years old, although there is no
prescribed age to begin with this form of education.
It develops children concentration,
thinking, observance, reading and writing abilities. Motivation is something that pushes everyone
to their endless limits. Once you have something to look up to, let your life
take you up the toll. Abacus gives you motivation, self confidence and even
better, makes you much more active, attentive and brilliant. Usually, the left-side of the brain is
used by an everyday human being. Science has proved that the continuous use of abacus
is helpful to develop the unused right-side of your brain. Think about how much
you can achieve if you started to utilize more than what you are now.
Children using Abacus are found to be
superior in the accuracy of their memory and the number of digits they are able
to memorize when compared with non-abacus learners of the same age. This is
because the abacus children, place numbers on the abacus image in their head as
they mentally calculate with abacus method. It improves the image memory. It
becomes easier for the children to do mental maths quickly with accuracy. The
accurate and rapid calculation leads to better marks in mathematical
calculations. In addition, a positive effect is seen as the children are quick
in calculating fractional numbers too.
At the end of this programme, child
can do addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of large numbers with
greater speed than the calculator and computer. Basic mathematical operations like
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are solved by simple
movement of beads in this instrument. This helps the student to develop a
pictorial representation of the problem in the brain and by regular practice,
the brain learns to solve the problem without actual use of any aid including
the Abacus. The students thereby develop an exciting photographic
memory. Nowadays, many of the Educational Institutions around the world
are incorporating Abacus in their regular syllabus with the aim of sharpening
the basic mathematical skills in students. Extensive research on the subject
has consistently proved that regular practice in Abacus results in a more
proficient and sharper brain. Like any other organ of human body, our brain also
needs regular exercise to keep it fit and sharp but how do we exercise our
brain? Mathematics provides the ideal exercise for our brain.
Mathematics is the logical application of mind to tackle a particular problem.
More time spent with mathematics would invariably result in a well exercised
and a sharper brain. This is simply the reason why a child strong at
mathematics is able to tackle other subjects with relative
ease. But most children fear mathematics and often try to
escape from the complexities of problem solving. This is where Abacus comes to
aid. Abacus develops speed and accuracy in mathematics using very basic
methods. This naturally develops aptitude and liking for Mathematics within a
very short period. With the growing of technology, most of the children are
depending on calculators to solve even basic mathematical problems. On being
dependent on electronic calculator, they are ignoring the opportunity to solve
arithmetical calculation mentally or using mental calculator.
Children who learn
the abacus generally achieve higher academic performance not only in arithmetic
but also in all subjects because of the concentration. On solving arithmetical
problem mentally, children become proud on his/her capacity, grow their confidence,
dare to challenge with others, try to make himself/herself all rounder and be
successful in all areas. In this competitive era, every kid needs a proper direction
to dig out their hidden potential from himself/herself to be the best. Every
parents hope that their children should be the best among others. In support
with your view, abacus training is one of the best training to make your child
brainy, talent and master mind. This training gives confidence to face
competition exams. A slow brainy student also able to show performance more
than earlier. Over all, to be the best, the basic needs are- master mind,
memory, concentration and confidence : and all is included with abacus
training.
In Tokyo on November
12, 1946, there was a contest between a Japanese postal official, Mr. Kiyoshi
Matsuzaki, skilled in using Abacus and an American soldier using a calculator.
The American representative using the calculator was Mr. Thomas Nathan Wood of
the 20th finance disturbing section of General Mac Arthurs headquarters.
The contest was held under the sponsorship of the U.S. Army newspaper, The
Stars and Stripes. The soldier used the most modern electromechanical
calculator available then but was convincingly defeated in four out of five
contests. The remarks of the Stars and Stripes were as follows.“ The machine
age tool took a step backward at the Emie Pyle Theatre as the Abacus, century’s
old, dealt defeat to the most up-to-date electric machine now being used by the
United States Government..... the Abacus victory was decisive”.
The remarks of the
Nippon Times were as follows: “Civilization, on the threshold of the atomic
age, tottered Monday afternoon as the 2,000 year old Abacus beat the electric
calculating machine in adding, subtracting, dividing and a problem including
all three with multiplication thrown in. Only in multiplication alone did the
machine triumph....”
With Regards
Mumtaz Rahaiman
ABACUS Trainer
BIS
