The development of a child begins literally from the first days of his life. As he grows up, he needs the professional influence of teachers who can correctly assess the potential of the baby and direct him in a creative direction. Mental arithmetic is one of the youngest and most promising methods of children's education. She is able to develop the mental abilities of the child so that any arithmetic problem will become for him a simple and quick calculation in his mind. What is mental arithmetic: another business idea or a useful training program?
History
The innovative technique was invented by the Turk Shen. It is based on an ancient abacus - an abacus invented in China five thousand years ago. Later, the Japanese improved them more than once, and today we use the technical refinement of the abacus - the calculator. However, the device of ancient accounts, according to experts, turned out to be more useful for children. Their use in the educational process contributed to the formation of a new program, which was called "mental arithmetic", or "menar". For the first time shewas launched in 1993 in Asia. Currently, there are about five thousand educational centers in 50 countries that teach oral counting. The most active in this regard are schools in the USA, Austria, Canada, Australia, Thailand, China and the Middle East. Specialized centers are opened in Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Thus, mental arithmetic in Astana and Moscow has already achieved high results and ratings from parents.
Why does a child need this?
It is known that in humans the right hemisphere of the brain is responsible for creativity, perception and creation of images, and the left - for logic. Working with the left hand, we "turn on" the right hemisphere, with the right hand - the left. Synchronous work of both hemispheres gives a huge potential for the development of the child. And the task of mental arithmetic is to involve the entire brain in the educational process. This is done by performing operations on the accounts with both hands. Mental arithmetic not only helps to master the skills of quick calculation, but also contributes to the development of analytical skills. If modern calculators relax mental processes, then the abacus, on the contrary, trains and improves them.
How does the menar work?
The mental arithmetic training program conditionally consists of two stages. At the first stage, children master the technique of counting on bones, using two hands at once for these operations. The inclusion of both hemispheres of the brain in the counting process ensures quick execution and memorization of actions. Thanks to the abacus, children can fold freely,subtract, divide and multiply, as well as calculate square and cube roots.
At the second stage of the program, students move on to counting in the mind, or on a mental level. Each lesson here involves a gradual loosening of the binding to the accounts and the stimulation of children's imagination. The left hemisphere perceives numbers, the right - a picture of the bones of the bills. So, the child learns to make the proposed calculations in the mind. He presents the accounts in front of him and mentally performs the necessary operations. That is, there is work with an imaginary abacus. Now the numbers are perceived as pictures, and the calculation process is associated with the corresponding movement of the bones of the scores.
Age
In the period from 4 to 12 (sometimes up to 16) years, the most active development of the human brain occurs. Therefore, the assimilation of basic skills should be carried out during this period. That is why experts recommend that at this age children learn foreign languages, learn to play musical instruments and other activities. Mental arithmetic also harmoniously fits into this list. This kind of brain stimulation makes learning easier and more productive.
Goals and results
The main goals of the menar are the concentration of attention, the development of photographic memory and creative thinking, logic and imagination, hearing and observation. With a professional approach and successful achievement of goals, the child can perform complex arithmetic tasks in his mind. For example, to add10-digit numbers in a few seconds, and solve more complex computational problems faster than a calculator.
The program not only covers the mathematical field, but also helps the child in other educational areas. She gives him confidence, gives him the ability to cope with several things at the same time.
Schools
Today, around the world, thousands of private educational children's centers have mental arithmetic included in the system. Education (classes at all levels) usually lasts from two to three years. In addition to the stages of the methodology for mastering the menar, there are 10 levels, each of which the student passes in 2-3 months. Of course, in different schools the program is built individually. But still there are general rules. Groups are formed according to the age of the students. So, for example, there are three main types: kinder, kids and junior. Classes are conducted by experienced and qualified educational psychologists who have undergone appropriate training and certification.
Teacher training
In addition to the centers that teach menar children, there are schools for training specialists in this area. As a rule, a teacher of mental arithmetic is a person who already has the education of a teacher, psychologist and experience in this field. Because in the process of teaching this subject, not only mathematical knowledge and skills in using the abacus are very important, but also the methods of teaching the menar, awareness of the psychological level of the child's development.
In addition, teacher training centers regularly hold seminars, trainings that allow you to maintain a high level of skill, track the statistics of teachers and their students in the subject of "mental arithmetic". Training for teachers involves certification in the form of exams and obtaining certificates and diplomas. Such documents help parents assess the level of teacher qualifications and make the right choice.
Manuals and textbooks
Many training centers have their own methods. In general, they differ slightly from each other. Children aged 4-10 years are very mobile, and the subject requires perseverance and attention. Therefore, the system of approaches to teaching kids the menar is based on the psychological, age-related characteristics of the student's perception of information. Without this, the teacher's practice will turn into a dry memorization of the rules and will not bring positive results.
There are two categories of teaching materials: manuals for teachers and textbooks for schoolchildren on the subject "Mental arithmetic". The manuals include methodological collections, video tutorials and explanatory brochures for textbooks. They are constantly updated, supplemented with supporting materials.
A textbook on mental arithmetic is classically presented in two versions: theoretical and practical. Thanks to the first, the student learns the rules and techniques of computational operations on ancient accounts, operations with bones. In the workshops, an exercise is given to hone and consolidate theoretical knowledge. Textbooks haveclear division by program levels and age of students.
Reviews
Mental arithmetic for kids is a relatively new numeracy program. But during its existence, it has shown absolute results. Practice and feedback from parents prove that mental arithmetic is very useful and effective. It can be successfully included in the compulsory education program or be, as it is now, an additional, developing elective for children.
Just two to four hours a week in just a few months of practice gives amazing results. Parents note an improvement in memory in children, the development of creative thinking, attentiveness and concentration. They feel more confident in general classes, more willingly and quickly prepare homework. The level of their academic performance is significantly improved.
Thus, mental arithmetic has become not just a specific subject for mastering computational skills, but also one of the steps towards the formation of a comprehensively developed personality. The maximum potential of the brain, which “turns on” during classes, allows you to raise a he althy and successful child, a little genius who, having received such a reliable foothold, is able to turn the world upside down in the future.
