Course Structure

Learners' levels:

Suitable for:
Pre-school children - Age 5 To 6
1: Basic addition, subtraction with and without using abacus
2: Learning games and activities and manipulating beads
Primary children - Age 7 To 14
1: Addition,subtraction, multiplication and division with and without
2: using abacus using abacus Visualization, listening, speed calculation

Entry requirements:

5 to 14 years

Course duration:

2 years

Course session:

2 hours per week (to be allocated flexibly) Each level 3 months

Medium of instruction:

English and Hindi

Course Detail
1st Level:

Introduction of Abacus
Fingering Practice
Friend of 10 Addition (-ve and +ve Addition)
Friend of 5 and combination (-ve and +ve Addition)

2nd Level:

Double digit Addition

Double digit Subtraction
Addition and subtraction of single digit without Abacus
Three digits Addition
Three digits Subtraction

3rd Level:

Three digits Addition and Subtraction without Abacus

Five Rows Addition and Subtraction without Abacus
Two Digits X One Digit Multiplication

4th Level:

Eight Rows Addition and Subtraction without Abacus

Three Digits X One Digit Multiplication with and without Abacus
Two Digits X Two Digit Multiplication with and without Abacus
Two Digits / One Digit Division with and without Abacus
Three Digits / One Digit Division with Abacus

5th Level:

Introduction of Abacus
Fingering Practice
Friend of 10 Addition (-ve and +ve Addition)
Friend of 5 and combination (-ve and +ve Addition)

6th Level:

Double Digit Addition and Subtraction of 10 rows with and without

Abacus
Three Digit Addition and Subtraction of 7 rows with and without Abacus
Four Digits X One Digit Multiplication with and without Abacus
Four Digits / One Digit Division
Speed Calculation

7th Level:

Ten row Addition and Subtraction of Four Digits

Three Digits X Three Digits Multiplication
Five Digits / Two Divisions
Fraction into mix number (Mentally)
Decimal into Multiplications (Clubbing and Speed Calculation)

8th Level:

Percentage system
Fractions Addition and Subtraction
Square Root
Square Root Addition

Mental Arithmetic
More than arithmetic?
Many people often assume that learning mental arithmetic is merely a method to improve the speed
and accuracy of calculations, for example, adding 10-digit numbers withln a few seconds. By itself,it is
already an amazing accomplishment for most young children. However, there is more to thls because
when the children are learning World Abacus Mental Arithmetic, they are actually also undergolng the
process developing other aspects of the mind. When the children have acquired an astonishing
calculation speed, it is actually only the end result of having developed the following mental abilities :
concentration, observation, vlsualization & imagination, and memory.

Concentration
Concentration is the concentrated and directed attention towards a particular matter with clear
reflection that creates a deep image and mental impression. An enhanced concentration leads to
better absorption power. Studying will then be a joyfuI thlng for these children. In the abacus and
mental arithmetic education children will be tralned to concentrate when Iistening to the teachers
questions (that ranges from easy to difficult) and then focus on calculating the answers as accurately
as possible.

Observation

Observtion is the ability to compare and analyse and differentiate objects, motives and steps. It is also
a state of alertness and swiftness of the mind and senses. This comes from the need to understand
the theoretical requirements of each calculation and at the same time be aware of the time, and
promptings from the teachers.

Visualization and Imagination

By using the imagination of the right braln to visualize the abacus in mind, inevitably the powers of
visualization would become sharp and clear. Albert Einstein believes that the imagination is important
than knowledge, because imagination is the main source of yet-to-be-discovered knowledge

Memory

Memory is the ability to store and retrieve information and experiences. It has been found that
memory in the left brain would not stay long, but an image that is recorded in the right brain would
stay on in the mind forever. By stimulating the right brain with mental arithmetic, and in combination
with the alertness of the eyes, ears and hands, the ability to store and recall is developed together.
Therefore, the ability to solve 10-digits arithmetic problems in only a few seconds is only a small
success in comparison to the actual mental training that has been done in order to achieve the skill to
perform rapid calculations

10 ASCENT Brain Gym Exercises

1. Cross Crawl- another of the ASCENT Brain Gym exercises that helps with spelling, writing,
listening, reading and comprehension by coordinating the right & left brain. Brain gym exercises,
effects exercise, free brain exercises, brain training exercises
Stand or sit. Place your right hand across the body to the left knee as you raise it, and then do the
same thing for the left hand on the right knee just as if you were marching. Do this for 2 - 3 minutes.
2. Brain Buttons- This free brain exercise increases blood flow to the brain. The extra blood flow,
the extra water, switches the brain ON, improves attention required for learning & performing.
Position one hand so that there is as wide a space as possible between the thumb and index finger,
like a large letter.Place your index and thumb into the slight indentations below the collar bone on
each side of the sternum. Press lightly in a pulsing manner.At the same time put the other hand over
the navel area of the stomach. Gently press on these points for about 2 minutes.

3. Lazy 8s improves visual attention & eye mobility needed for reading.
*Align body with a point at eye level. This will be the midpoint of the 8.
* Choose a comfortable position for drawing the Lazy 8, adjusting the width and height to fit your
needs.
* Start on the midline and moves counterclockwise first, up, over, and around. Then move clockwise:
up, over, around, and back to the beginning midpoint.

4. Arm Activation-one of our free brain exercises, helps increase attention span. * Reach up above
your head with your left arm, lengthening from your rib cage. Hold your arm just below the elbow
with your right hand. * Now isometrically activate your left arm for a few seconds in each of four
positions away from your head, forward, backward, and toward your ear. Rest your left arm again at
your side. Now stand and let your arms hang comfortably by your sides.
5. Hook Ups- are an example of how effects of exercise include improvement of mood, lessening of
anxiety. Stand or sit with the right leg crossed over the left at the ankles. Take your right wrist and
cross it over the left wrist and link up the fingers so that the right wrist is on top. Bend the elbows out
and gently turn the fingers in towards the body until they rest on the sternum (breast bone) in the
center of the chest. Stay in this position. Keep the ankles crossed and the wrists crossed and then
breathe evenly in this position for a few minutes. You should feel noticeably calmer after that time.
6. Thinking Caps- helps with spelling, short-term memory, listening ability & abstract thinking. *
Perform this brain training exercise by using your thumb and index finger to gently pull and unroll the
outer part of the ear, starting from the top and slowly moving to the lobe. Pull the lobe gently. Repeat
three times.
7. Calf Pumps- improves concentration, attention, comprehension, imagination and endurance.
ASCENT Brain Gym exercises, effects exercise, free brain exercises, brain training exercises. *
Reap the beneficial effects of this exercise by standing, arms length away from a wall, placing your
hands (shoulder-width apart) against it. Extend your left leg straight out behind you so that the ball of
your foot is on the floor and your heel is off the floor and your body is slanted at 45 degrees. Exhale,
leaning forward against the wall while also bending your right heel and pressing your left heel
against the floor. The more you bend the front knee, the more lengthening you will feel in the back of
your left calf. Inhale and raise yourself back up while relaxing and raising the left heel. Do three or
more times, completing a breath with each cycle. Alternate to the other leg and repeat.

8. The Elephant- is a brain training exercise that activates all areas of the mind/body system & is
highly recommended for children with attention deficit disorder. Place the left ear on the left shoulder
then extending the left arm like the trunk of an elephant with knees relaxed, draw the infinity sign
(crossing up in the middle) in front of you. Switch arms after three to five complete signs.
9. Energy Yawn- is one of the ASCENT Brain Gym Exercises that relieves the stress that interferes
with learning & performance. Simply massage the muscles around the TMJ (temporal-mandibular
joint) at the junction of the jaws.
10. Positive- Points helps relieve stress & improve memory. Lightly touch the point above each eye
halfway between the hairline and the eyebrow with fingertips of each hand. Close your eyes and
breathe slowly and deeply for a few seconds. Release & repeat 3 times.

Benefit of ASCENT Methodology

People who have mastered ASCENT's two-hand abacus and mental arithmetic have been known to
demonstrate marked improvements in the following areas:

Development of the left and right brain.

Formation of the brain's beta wave frequency

Mathematical calculation

Sense of sight, hearing, and feeling

Concentration and absorption power

Analytical and logical skills

Creativity and imagination

Memory and reflexes

Self-confidence and self-esteem

Listening and comprehension skills

Observation skill

Abacus Training and Brain Development

Studies have shown that the left brain, responsible for logic and analysis, is the dominant brain for
the majority of people worldwide. Oftentimes we rely solely on that side of the brain to process our
thoughts and actions, thereby neglecting the functioning of the right brain which is associated with
the creative and emotive aspects of our daily operation.

Brain development peaks during the childhood years when there is plenty of room for growth,
learning new information, and acquiring new skill set. A child's brain demonstrates highly adaptability
to stimulants that boost their visual, sensory, motor, auditory, and cognitive skills. Thus said,
childhood experts recommend that children be exposed to new interests such as learning a
language and playing a musical instrument, from as young as three, in order to encourage learning
and developing the brain.

Mental arithmetic can be said to be a healthy brain stimulant which promotes the use of both the left
brain and the right brain simultaneously, thereby achieving a more balanced growth. As both sides of
the brain are collectively stirred, learning is enhanced and concentration, memory, and creativity are
all improved upon.

Mental arithmetic should not be viewed only as a tool that helps children improve math grades. It
challenges the way they think and focus, and shapes the way they:

Listen and comprehend

Visualise and imagine

Memorise details

Work with speed and accuracy

Concentrate on atask

Process information

Tackle problems

"A research done by the Nippon Medical School has determined that the right brain is associated
with visual and auditory activities such as recognising images and listening to music while the left
brain is linked to logical thoughts, such as performing a mathematical calculation.
The study, performed on 200 students over 10 years, investigated on brain waves during various
activities. Assessments conducted on abacus users unanimously demonstrated high levels of brain
activity in the right hemisphere, which indicated pronounced usage of the right brain in performing
mental arithmetic calculations. The average person typically performs scientific and mathematical
calculations using the left brain but this study has proven that by visualising an image of the abacus
in their head, abacus users were able to tap into their right brain, thereby achieving a balanced
usage of both hemispheres.
The research team went on to conclude in its findings that abacus learning is beneficial in helping
children understand the numerical system and mathematical formulations. They were better able to
memorise complicated number sequences and focus on tasks. Their ability to utilise the right brain
helped yield other positive traits, such as self-confidence, better academic performance, and exhibit
creativity in problem solving."

ABACUS FAQ:
What will my child learn from the programme?

During the programme, students will learn:

Proper technique of clearing and stirring beads on the abacus using two hands
simultaneously.

Effective speedy calculation techniques which involve the four operations of numerals
(addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).

What is the best time for a child to start learning?

The best period to start our course is when a child starts writing numbers (from 0 to
9). Children from late kindergarten to primary one or two have the best learning and
absorbing brain power (with reference to the stages of development of the brain).
This is the best time for nurturing the brain's abilities and a critical stage at which a
child can start to grasp mathematical concepts.
The stages of development of the brain is as follow:

3 years old: The brain has expected 60% growth, therefore a child has the strongest
absorbing power.

3 to 6 years old: The brain has grown a further 20%. The learning and absorbing power is
not as strong as in a 3-year-old. However, the child will obtain astonishing results if he is provided
with more foundation.

6 to 8 years old: The brain has grown a further 10%. The child must put in tremendous effort
if he starts learning at this age.

After 8 years: If a child starts learning at this age, it is rather difficult for the child to achieve
good results. He has to work harder with more discipline.

Mental arithmetic provides the fundamental training in mathematical and calculation concepts. It is
also at this stage when the child's school work is lighter that parents should seize the opportunity to
encourage the child to attend this programme. This will in turn build a stronger foundation for their
future education endeavours.
Is it too late for a ten-year-old child to pick up abacus mental arithmetic?
No, it is never too late.
How can Ascent abacus help to increase a child's intelligence?
Ascent abacus is designed to improve not only a child's calculating ability and his/her understanding
of arithmetic, but also to increase the memory power and creativity, the concentration level and the
listening skill, as well as the ability to analyse problems. On top of loving math for lifelong success,
our ultimate goal is to build the child's confidence level in their schoolwork and life.

By stimulating both the left and the right sides of the brain during the training process, experts
believe that abacus and image abacus training is the key to optimal learning capability.
Will it pose as a challenge to learn abacus if my child is left-handed?
The uniqueness of this two-hand four-finger abacus system will train the student to be able to stir the
abacus beads using fingers with dexterity. Being left-handed means the child will need a little
practice to be able to stir the beads on the abacus using the right hand skillfully. After perfecting the
technique of using the right hand to stir the beads, he will then combine both the left and right hands
to stir the beads when calculating questions involving formula.
Can my child enrol and join an existing class in the middle of a term? Will my child be able to follow
the on-going lesson?
Yes, your child is able to join an existing class in the middle of a term. Ascent abacus provides a
unique learning environment where individual student learns at his/her own pace with personalised
teaching using carefully-designed teaching materials catering to his/her needs and progress.
Yes, your child will be able to follow the lesson. You will see an interesting phenomenon in Ascent
abacus as students of different ages with different level of skills embark on the course in the same
classroom using different learning materials pitched at individual progress.