Let’s discuss why abacus classes can be challenging for young children, especially those aged 4 to 6, when they’re just starting out. I began learning the abacus when I was 5 years old in kindergarten and continued for eight years. I also introduced some friends to the class; a few left after just one day, while others dropped out after a couple of months. At the time, I thought they simply didn’t enjoy the abacus. However, after teaching 5 and 6-year-olds myself, I’ve come to realize there are other factors at play.
Class Length:
Abacus classes usually run for about 75 minutes, which can be quite a stretch for young kids. They’re expected to stay seated and work quietly without disturbing others. With parents waiting outside the room, the kids have to manage this time independently. For young children, staying still and focused for 75 minutes can be really tough. They often get bored, start squirming around, or end up getting attention from the teacher.
Even in my summer abacus class, which is 60 minutes long, keeping their attention for the full duration is a challenge. Typically, their focus lasts about 10-15 minutes before they begin chatting, getting restless, or asking for a break.
Independent Learning:
In abacus classes, kids of all ages work at their own levels—some are just starting out, while others are more advanced. The teacher is there to introduce new concepts and answer questions, but generally, students need to tackle problems on their own. Young children, who are new to abacus learning, might not speak up when they’re confused. Instead, they often sit quietly until the teacher notices or until the class ends.
In the small group I teach, parents join in and learn alongside their kids. This way, they can talk to their children to see if they understand and we can actively engage with the kids, so no one feels left out or sits idle. Kids tend to need breaks or want to chat every 10 minutes or so.
From my experience, I’ve found that it takes a bit of time for young children to master moving the beads and using the right finger movements for calculations. Older students tend to pick up new skills more quickly, but younger kids require more time and guidance. If parents haven’t learned abacus themselves, they can’t provide much help at home, making it crucial for them to learn the methods during class.
Competitiveness and Pressure:
Competitiveness is a natural part of learning the abacus, whether it’s competing with classmates or working under time pressure to improve speed. Personally, I loved the competition. Competing with other skilled students and winning trophies made me feel proud, and it also helped me develop abacus skills quickly and effectively. However, not everyone feels the same. Some kids don’t like competing because they don’t like losing. Of course, focusing too much on winning can be unhealthy. But the kids who jump into competitions often put in a lot of effort, which helps them become sharp, competitive learners.
I believe that to become an advanced abacus whiz and develop strong mental math skills, you need to be competitive—at least with yourself. Striving for speed and accuracy can be a personal challenge, pushing yourself to improve your abacus skills faster. You can start slow and fun, but having that competitive spark is key to getting better. However, I’ve noticed that young kids often struggle with this kind of competitiveness. This makes it important for abacus teachers to think about how they can help their students become more comfortable with competition and use it as a positive tool for growth.
Conclusion:
While abacus classes offer incredible benefits, they can be quite challenging for young children due to the length of classes, the independent learning style, and the inherent competitiveness. Abacus teachers should consider these factors and adjust their approach to better suit the learning styles and growth of 5 and 6-year-olds. This age group is at a prime stage to benefit from learning the abacus, and it’s important to ensure they find it enjoyable and rewarding. Abacus teachers should also consider how to make competitiveness a positive and motivating factor for their students, helping them grow into confident and skilled learners.
