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Nodd's Review NEWS FLASH
Genius Kindergarten girl doing 5th grade math!
Question: Is your child a genius?
67 x 39 = what? Now here's a simple problem that's almost impossible to solve without a calculator, pencil or paper, right?
Next question: would you like your child to be a genius, able to solve the above problem instantaneously in his head? Hmmm, of course you would. But if you think this type of astonishing mental calculation is wishful thinking I'm here to tell you that you're wrong. Introducing the Japanese Abacus Math School (JAMS) located in Bethany Village between Bethany Blvd and Kaiser Rd. Now, I know what you're thinking. How could some ancient counting device possibly help my child get any smarter? Well, believe me, I thought exactly the same until I visited JAMS and saw it for myself. Consider this:
- Nicole, a girl of only 5 who can already calculate 8 x 71 or 464 / 8 (using just the abacus)!
- Hana, a girl of 6 who can do 38,037 + 25,038 (in her head)!
- Alvin, a boy of 12 who can give you the square root of 29,441,476 (without a calculator)!
- Renoka, a girl of 12 who can calculate 47,512 x 930 (in her head taking about 12 seconds).
- Clark, a boy of 15 who can do 6,490 x 14,163 (in less than 10 seconds using the abacus).
Amazing? Yes. Impossible for your child to do the same as the kids mentioned above? Not at all. The secret is not that these kids are exceptionally smart or talented. The secret is that they have learned to see numbers as pictures. So while the common student is struggling to memorize her times tables, the JAMS student is picturing the numerical answer in his mind. Yes, it is incredible and if I didn't visit a class and talk with the students myself, I'm not sure I would have believed it either. And the best part is that any child can learn the abacus, even kids who don't like or have difficulty with math! Other benefits includes:
- Improved concentration
- Better and faster calculations skills
- Better problems solving skills
- Clearer logic reasoning
- Sharper memory
- Faster reflexes and better dexterity
The sensei at the front of the class is Miwako Sakabayashi. This petite but highly energetic and friendly woman started JAMS in 2001 as a way to help kids do better in school. "Learning abacus Math is very important for developing the brain in small children," Miwako told me over a plate of sushi. "A child will be able to calculate, very fast and very accurately, using his or her own mental power." And Miwako should know too. At the age of 7 in Japan, she started learning the Abacus and by junior high school, she was competing in the national championships. Asked if the kids in her class are special, "not at all, any child can come and learn the abacus." The hardest part is getting the parents to think outside the learning box, so to speak. Miwako's students are sometimes called ‘human calculators' because they can do astonishing mental mathematics but talk to one of her students and they'll tell you that they are simply picturing the numbers and answers in their heads.
Is your child a genius? Maybe. But for what you'd pay for Tae Kwon Do or piano lessons, your child can become a math wiz that many would in fact call ‘Genius'!
Seeing is believing so check these out:
Video clips taken of kids performing amazing math skills at a JAMS sponsored competion
Japanese kids learning the Abacus (YouTube documentary - 2 minutes)
Scientific clip about how the Abacus enhances mental ability in children (UCMAS promo video - 8 minutes) Welcome to JAMS Abacus math establishes numeric relations in a clear and logical way for small children.
What is an Abacus?
The Abacus was in invented in Babylon around 2400BCE as a way to aid calculations by moving stones across a board. India, Mesopotamia, Egypt and China are thought to have played an essential part of the development and evolution of the Abacus that we know today. In Japan, the Abacus is called 'soroban' and was introduced from China in the 1600's. It is still used today in many small stores around the country as a way to calculate purchases.
Why Teach the Abacus to Modern Day Children?
Most young children learn "numbers" by counting their fingers. It is difficult for them to comprehend numeric relationships beyond the number 10 due to the lack of digits on their hands. Using regular math, children can use nothing but limited memory and brain power to solve arithmetic problems. Abacus presents multi-digit numeric relationships in a concrete bead-based system. Using an abacus, young children can relate number values and comprehend the concepts of mathematics easily. Therefore, the abacus math is far more superior to regular math that is presented to children in an abstract form.
Message from the Instructor
Children, specifically in their early age, have to get enough training to utilize and activate their senses. Learning abacus has children train those senses: their eyes to see, ears to listen and fingers to move abacus beads for calculation. This training cultivates their concentration skills, and their brain becomes more capable to calculate with no help of calculators. Although they are convenient and inexpensive, it is no exaggeration to say that usage of calculators hinders recovery and improvement of children's hidden abilities.
"Generally speaking, Asians are good at math." Is it true? Well, the answer is yes and no. Instead of sticking to such fixed idea, why don't you and your children try something new to change your perspective toward numbers and calculations! You will be surely surprised to see the change within you and within your children.
Testimonials
To our Jacob, abacus is more of a hobby than a study. That's how much he loves abacus and the enjoyment has grown over the years as his ability and skills have improved. Naturally, that gives Joshua encouragement to want to learn abacus and be as good as his brother. It's a great tool for any child to build on for all math related studies. We're very pleased with the JAMS and would recommend it to anyone!
- - Angela Lee, Portland OR (April 9th 2008)
"Since Maddie has taken Abacus a little over six months ago, we've not only noticed her math skills have developed but we have also seen that her ability to focus and concentrate have improve. It has benefited Maddie beyond just math. Ms. Miwako has done an amazing job with all her students, helping each child, no matter the age, to fully realize their potential."
- - Lynn ly, Cornelius OR
"My son, Nicholas, was only 4 years-old when he started JAMS. He couldn't write is numbers and counted only to 20. Today Nicholas is 6 years-old and attends kindergarten. He adds and subtracts double and triple digits and has memorized his multiplication tables - AMAZING! Math has become a part of our everyday lives. He adds and subtracts prices at the store, how many minutes are left in the hour and adds his own score when we play board games together. I often think to myself; "I can't believe this is my 6-year-old!".
JAMS has opened many doors for my child. His kindergarten teacher is amazed by his math proficiency at such a young age. Nicholas was recently accepted into TAG at his school after scoring a 99% on his standardized testing. Ms. Miwako has worked incredibly hard with Nicholas to achieve this level of success. She has individualized his program to meet his specific needs and gives him an incredible amount of one-on-one attention. He is confident, focused and thriving in school. I couldn't be more sure that JAMS is the best investment in his future that we have made! "
- - Carrie Salehiamin, Portland OR (April 9th 2008)
My daughter at age 5, joined JAMS as a preschooler and in a little more than one year accomplished three-digit calculation and up to division. Moreover, Ms. Miwako does an amazing job keeping her motivated. No matter the assignment, my daughter finds the class enjoyable.
- - Yuko Hopman, Portland OR (April 2008) |
Japanese Abacus Math School
