abacus

Fast Abacus

FAST Abacus stands for Fundamental Arithmetic Skill training. It is an educational program that teaches mental arithmetic through the use of the abacus. FAST is based on a specialized method of using an abacus to help students perform arithmetic calculations mentally, without the need for physical tools like a calculator or paper.

Key Features of the FAST Abacus Program :
Mental Arithmetic: FAST Abacus focuses on helping children develop the ability to perform complex arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and more) quickly and accurately in their minds by visualizing an abacus in their minds.

Abacus Training: The program typically begins with physical abacus training, where students learn how to manipulate beads on an abacus, and gradually progresses to using “mental abacus” — imagining the abacus in their minds and performing calculations mentally.

Brain Development: FAST Abacus is designed to improve various cognitive skills, including memory, concentration, visualization, and problem-solving. It is believed that the practice of mental arithmetic helps enhance brain development and boosts IQ.

Age Range: FAST Abacus programs typically target children between the ages of 4 and 14 yrs.

Structured Levels: FAST Abacus program is often divided into various levels, from beginner to advanced, where students gradually master more complex arithmetic operations and improve their speed and accuracy.

Benefits of FAST Abacus Training:
Enhanced Memory: By visualizing the abacus in the mind, children enhance their short-term and long-term memory.
Improved Concentration: As students need to focus on the beads and mental calculations, their concentration skills improve.
Faster Calculation Speed: FAST Abacus helps children become quicker at solving math problems, often outperforming traditional methods.
Confidence Boost: The ability to solve complex math problems mentally boosts a child’s confidence in their academic abilities.
Overall Brain Development: The program is designed to stimulate both the left and right hemispheres of the brain, improving creativity, logical thinking, and analytical skills.

In summary, the FAST Abacus program is an advanced method of teaching arithmetic that uses the abacus as a tool to help children develop strong mental calculation skills, improve cognitive abilities, and enhance overall brain function

The 6-finger technique in the FAST abacus learning is a method of finger positioning used to operate an abacus efficiently. It involves using six fingers — the thumbs, index, and middle fingers of both hand s — to manipulate the beads on the abacus. Here’s how it typically works:

1. Right Hand:

Thumb: Used to push the lower deck beads up like +1,+2,+3,+4

Index Finger: Used to push the lower deck beads down. -1,-2,-3,-4

Middle Finger: Used to push the upper deck beads down or up +5,-5

2. Left Hand:

Thumb: Pushes the lower deck beads up.

Index Finger: Pushes the lower deck beads down.

Middle Finger: Pushes the upper deck beads down and up

The 6-finger technique is efficient because it uses each finger for a specific action, allowing for faster and more accurate calculations. This approach is particularly helpful when performing mental arithmetic and rapid abacus calculations, as it minimizes hand movement and improves control over the bead positioning.