Last Updated on October 2, 2024 by Editorial Team
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Abacus combines shifting the beads and acting with your fingers. It is a fundamental and comprehensive learning process. One of the ways to increase numerical proficiency and arithmetic aptitude is through abacus learning. This promotes mental arithmetic abilities and capabilities like imagination, observation, focus, logical reasoning, retention, and recollection. Despite a small percentage of fortunate kids who have a straightforward time, math and numbers are incredibly challenging for most children!
When numbers become a challenge, innovative toys come to your rescue. Abacus toys encourage the child’s brain to visualize mathematics rather than understand them as numbers. Since the children are still progressing in all areas, learning Abacus math toys helps them understand mathematical calculations better. Employing fundamental techniques also enhances efficiency and accuracy when tackling math problems.
Unique toys for kids to start with abacus learning
Abacus aids development in the branch of arithmetic; hence, it is crucial to expose children to the Abacus at an early age. Abacus is also helpful in setting the fundamentals of math. Therefore, these toys can greatly help teachers and parents involved in abacus teaching. They are easily available on the web and are equipped with the necessary aspects of a good abacus toy.
1. Wooden Add and Subtract Abacus Toy
Presenting a super efficient toy that helps teachers and parents comprehend various math applications. Designed on the base of wood, this interactive toy promotes motor skills, concentration, and hand-eye coordination.
The toy is structured in the shape of a panda while designing the eyes of the animal with math-based shapes. Children get exposure to different shapes, colors, and numbers. The top part of the toy has abacus beads making it easy for children to practice addition and subtraction in real-time. There are 3 circles to the left piled on each other.
These circles offer numbers and their operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). A straight connection joins these circles to the other 3 circles. The other 3 circles depict the place values (hundreds, tens, and units). The connector at the center shows the (=) sign to derive answers on the right side.
While this toy helps children learn math, it is an excellent addition for teachers and parents. The rotating circles help set different questions for kids while they develop motor skills by rotating circles to get the answer. This way, kids are exposed to numerous problems that can be solved by rotating, which also grasps attention.
2. Wooden Math Toy
A wooden math toy is an important addition to the field of math. This toy is designed to promote understanding of math fundamentals and develop motor skills.
The entire toy uses different shapes to develop awareness about its functionality. The toy has a wooden base with holes wherein sticks have to be attached. Once the base is ready, small wooden tiles with numbers and operations have to be placed in the slanting area of the base. For example, teachers or parents have placed tiles and ask students to resolve them. Children must put circle-shaped wood pieces on the sticks before each number.
This toy helps understand various Abacus concepts and sharpen number skills. The toy’s functionality increases due to various problems and solutions that can be derived through this.
3. Bead Wood Maze
As Abacus focuses on basic calculations, this toy is an excellent choice for kids. Kids can understand colors and recognize numbers at an early age. Hence, when kids are exposed to helpful toys, they can easily develop essential math skills.
Bead Wood maze offers a delightful combination of beads and other elements. Children get exposure to learn about different fruits and their respective colors. Beads have also been used for counting in the Arithmetic branch of math. Parents can indulge kids in teaching the methods of counting numbers, addition, and subtraction.
The bead maze is essentially useful as it is made with nontoxic paint and gives an assurance of durability. Kids can also develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination through moving beads and fruits.
4. Wooden Activity Cube
This toy offers more than just abacus learning. It provides a complete package for kids to learn about different colors and develops imagination. The toy is excellent as it saves space, and the upper part of the maze can be turned upside down after playtime.
The traditional toy has 5 different activities for kids. The first is the maze, wherein kids can learn to count through colorful beads. This is a vibrant abacus designed in the form of a maze. Along with beads, small vegetable prints are also attached to grasp attention. Zigzag woodpecker tiles can be moved and help develop hand-eye coordination.
Another part is the owl clock, wherein kids get an opportunity to learn about timings, numbers, and multiplication. This cube idea has a proper abacus to teach addition and subtraction. Cogwheels in the cube can be moved by understanding shapes, sizes, and different colors.
This stimulating toy is ideal for teaching different aspects of the Abacus. Children also improve concentration skills, imagination, and logical thinking. Also, you can find a variety of cubes available on the web.
5. Dog Pull Toy
While the name suggests the toy to be a basic pull toy, it is much more than that! Teachers and parents get an amazing opportunity to make kids learn math while having fun. The toy is available in the shape of a dog or a crocodile.
This toy is ideal for kids who wish to carry their pets everywhere, also allowing them to engage in pretend play. However, the toy has rotating circles that make up the animal’s body – different colored circles with numbers, operations, and other circles for deriving answers.
The toy is a must-have for little ones learning the fundamentals of math. It helps children understand addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication. It also helps them understand greater and lesser signs to depict bigger or smaller numbers.
The dog pull toy is an effective addition to the math family for parents, teachers, and adults. It helps kids recognize colors and math concepts and promotes self-education.
Different other resources to learn abacus
Abacus toys are a great way to involve children in math learning. However, these toys can be even more beneficial when considering other resources that offer diverse learning. Check out the unique resources helpful to teaching Abacus.
1. Abacus Books
These are not simple math books. The Abacus books focus on strategies, techniques, and the importance of the Abacus. The books are designed to deploy knowledge about the traditional use and applications of the Abacus.
Books also offer creative illustrations, sample exercises, and practical examples to connect with the real world. As per the level of teaching, you can browse various abacus books for children.
2. Abacus Applications and Online Games
Have you wondered if online resources can also help you teach Abacus? This is true as various applications are developed to impart knowledge on the Abacus’s fundamentals and advanced stages. These applications teach Abacus through digital means, enhancing children’s mental math skills.
Also, free online games work well when you want to engage children in a creative learning environment. Applications and games are equipped with attractive illustrations and sound. The visual appeal of online sources allows children to connect with the concepts in a fun learning environment.
3. Abacus Activities
While keeping children in a learning zone is important, Abacus can also be taught by super fun activities. Children are more likely to engage in activities as it creates a challenging environment. It also creates familiarity with numbers and colors, improving their overall math development.
Activities help children develop concentration, motor skills, memory, and team-building skills. Social skills and communication are also enhanced by using abacus activities at school or home.
4. Abacus Online Training Classes
Let the little math geeks enjoy Abacus through online pieces of training. While various resources aid in a better understanding of the Abacus, online training classes promote communication and confidence. Doubt-solving can be done easily when students are connected to instructors in a virtual setting.
Certain online programs are beneficial for children who are willing to expand their knowledge of Abacus. As these sessions are online, children can access them conveniently. Moreover, some training courses offer certificates to boost the confidence of children.
5. Abacus Formula Sheet
Are you looking for a simpler process to teach Abacus? Various formula sheets can help you do the work. Abacus formula sheets are equipped with worthy pictorial representations that visually appeal to children. These sheets generally include detailed information and explanations on solving problems through Abacus. T
eachers and parents can use these sheets to impart knowledge, teach concepts concretely, and explain through verified examples. The step-by-step guide is excellent for beginners and experts willing to polish their skills.
To sum up
Teaching abacus can be tricky as it involves numbers, concentration, and beads. However, these abacus toys are some useful resources to impart knowledge. They are visually appealing and help children focus on playing with them while learning math.
Teachers can use some of these toys to design activities for children. Similarly, parents can also take the help of the toys mentioned above to enhance mathematical calculations and focus on building skills. Always reward children with small gestures to keep them inspired in the learning process.
An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’,