The abacus is a simple tool used for performing rapid arithmetic calculations. It has a rectangular frame with rods and sliding beads — and although it is one of the oldest calculating methods, it is still widely used for brain development today.
With practice, children learn to visualise the beads and calculate in their minds. This is called Mental Arithmetic. It engages both hemispheres of the brain, allows large numbers to be calculated within seconds, and is highly effective in improving concentration and imagination.
