Many parents dream that their child grew special, became a pride. If they alone boast about the abilities of children, others hasten to write down their child to special schools, where they will be helped to develop makings. In one such specialized institution, children learn what mental arithmetic is. What are the pros and cons of the methodology?
Mental arithmetic - what is it?
Under mental arithmetic, it is customary to understand the program of development of thinking abilities and creative instincts due to arithmetic calculations on accounts. The method of mental arithmetic is provided for schoolchildren from four to sixteen years. It was founded two thousand years ago and now operates in fifty-two countries of the world. Mental arithmetic helps the children develop both hemispheres of the brain.
Why do we need mental arithmetic?
To make an important decision, parents should understand what the essence of mental arithmetic is. With her help the child will be able to:
- learn to think creatively;
- to develop memory, thinking, logic and wit;
- to show creativity;
- improve school performance;
- to calculate complex equations in the mind.
Thanks to such activities, the student can develop logic and learn the mental account. In addition, the child will have an interest in new knowledge and skills. At such lessons it is always interesting and fun: mathematical examples can be replaced by dances, songs and poems. There is work on diligence, attentiveness, communication, imagination and intuition.
The application of mental arithmetic
Mental mathematics is studied in special schools. For the entire period of education, children need to pass from ten to twelve levels. Each such level lasts no more than four months. Classes must be attended once or twice a week. In a year and a half the child is able to do different calculations with 4 or 5-digit numbers in the mind. The training is conducted using a special tool that resembles abacus scores. Initially, children need to learn how to work with it, fingering the bones with their fingers.
Mental arithmetic - for and against
This technique has its advantages and disadvantages. However, not all parents know what Mental arithmetic teaches. Among the advantages of the technique are:
- The child learns to count quickly in the mind.
- Thanks to the stimulation of fine motor skills, the left hemisphere develops in schoolchildren.
- The schoolchild improves performance in many school subjects.
- Children develop the ability to achieve success in many things.
Not all parents note the positive impact of arithmetic on a schoolboy. Among the negative observations:
- At school the child is in a hurry and makes many mistakes.
- Solving difficult examples in the mind, a schoolboy can not think logically , it is difficult for him to solve equations.
Mental arithmetic is good
Many teachers and parents notice the benefits of such pursuits. Thanks to the lessons of mental mathematics:
- You can develop fine motor skills.
- A child can develop a memory . Thanks to this technique, the student can quickly learn poems, songs, foreign words.
- The schoolboy learns to count quickly in the mind. Such a technique of mental arithmetic is useful for a child not only in school, but also in the future in adulthood.
Mental arithmetic - cons
Before deciding to teach the child this method, parents try to find out what mental arithmetic gives and whether there are risks for the student. Minuses of mental mathematics in the cost of classes. Not all loving parents can pay for the child's education in a special school. In addition, moms and dads say that after such lessons the child has ceased to think logically and often in high school is in a hurry and makes mistakes. Experts argue that it is better to practice the methodology for children with mathematical abilities.
Books on mental arithmetic
If parents still have doubts whether the child needs such knowledge, literature will help to make the right choice. They will tell what the mental arithmetic of the book develops:
- M. Vorontsova "Mathematical genius: the technique of counting - before walking" - describes the advantages and disadvantages of this technique.
- B. Arthur, Sh. Michael "Magic of numbers. Mental calculations in the mind and other mathematical foci " - describes simple tricks with which you can learn to perform different operations with large numbers in the mind.
- K. Bortolato "Set" Learning to count. Numbers up to 20 " is one of the new unique kits that help children learn the account.
- A. Benjamin "Mathematics, Secrets of Mental Mathematics" - in an accessible form tells about the essence of mental arithmetic.
- S. Ertash "Mental arithmetic. Addition and subtraction " - a book for kids from 4 to 6 years. Thanks to this tutorial, the child will be able to learn the basics of mental arithmetic.
- Abacus-center "Mental arithmetic" - simple exercises for schoolchildren are described.