How are the classes conducted?
Our classes are designed to maximize interaction and personalized learning within small groups. Here’s how we structure our sessions:
- Class Frequency and Duration: Each student participates in two sessions per week, each lasting 25-30 minutes. The total number of sessions per month varies from 6 to 10, depending on school holidays.
- Class Size and Format: Classes are conducted online using Zoom or Google Meet, with:
- Online classes accommodating 3-5 students.
- Offline classes accommodating 5-10 students.
- Age Groups: Students are grouped by age to enhance the learning experience:
- 5-6 years old: First age group.
- 6-8 years old: Second age group.
- 9-12 years old: Third age group.
- Interactive Sessions: All sessions are interactive, requiring cameras and microphones to be on to ensure effective participation and communication.
- Post-Session Communication: After each lesson, the teacher provides feedback and study recommendations through a dedicated WhatsApp group and updates in each student’s personal electronic profile.
- Personal Electronic Profile: Every student has a personal profile where daily tasks (ranging from 10-20 minutes) are assigned, ensuring continuous learning and practice outside of scheduled sessions.
- Tailored Group Placement: The tutor assesses each child’s level during the trial lesson and recommends the most suitable schedule and group level based on their individual needs.
This structure is designed to provide a balanced educational experience that fosters learning, interaction, and continuous development, all tailored to the specific needs and abilities of each student.
At what age should your child start mental arithmetic?
- General Age Range: We welcome children aged 5 to 14 years. However, readiness for mental arithmetic depends more on the child’s individual development than on age alone.
- Readiness at Age 5: Not all 5-year-olds are ready for structured learning like mental arithmetic. It’s crucial that the child is mentally and emotionally prepared. For those who are ready, mental arithmetic can enhance diction, movement coordination, independence, and social skills.
- Benefits for Ages 6-8: At this age, children face increasing academic demands. Mental arithmetic can help them manage large amounts of information, enhance teamwork skills, and improve their ability to switch tasks effectively.
- Advantages for Ages 9-12: This age group often experiences increased screen time. Mental arithmetic can help redirect their focus from gadgets, developing brain flexibility, imaginative thinking, and creativity.
- Long-term Impact: The benefits of mental arithmetic are not confined to childhood. In regions like America and Western Europe, even adults practice mental arithmetic to aid cognitive function and potentially prevent conditions like multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease.
Important Note: Before enrolling, we assess each child’s readiness to ensure they can benefit maximally from our program. It’s not just about being the right age but also about being ready to engage and learn effectively.
This approach ensures that parents understand both the age-specific benefits and the importance of assessing individual readiness, which is key to a successful learning experience in mental arithmetic.
How long is the full course of study?
Our educational program is divided into two main courses, each designed to cater to different aspects of mental arithmetic:
- Addition and Subtraction Course:
- Topics Covered: 36
- Duration: Typically takes 15-24 months to complete, depending on the student’s pace and commitment.
- Multiplication and Division Course:
- Topics Covered: 36
- Duration: Generally completed within 9-12 months.
Factors Influencing Course Duration and Outcomes:
- Child’s Age: Younger children may take longer to grasp complex concepts.
- Initial Cognitive Abilities: Students with advanced starting skills may progress faster.
- Development of Skills: Improvement in imaginative thinking, memory, perseverance, and concentration significantly affects progress.
- Adherence to Recommendations: Regular completion of homework and adherence to our teaching strategies also determine pace and success.
Results and Progression:
- Initial Results: Visible improvements are typically observed within the first month.
- Long-term Achievements: After two years of dedicated study, many students advance to expert groups, participate in international competitions, and achieve remarkable calculation speeds and proficiency in complex exercises.
For more detailed information about our educational programs, please see our detailed program outline
When can you see the result?
When discussing a child’s ability to solve problems of any complexity, completing the full course is crucial. Learn more about the program details. If we are talking about the ability to calculate within the themes we teach, parents can see progress after the first two months of training and throughout the course. As for skills such as perseverance, memory, and logic, they develop gradually. For a deeper understanding of how these skills evolve during different periods of learning, please refer to the detailed description of the course stages.
First Level (Duration: 4.5-7 months)
Focus:
- Brain Activation: Both hemispheres of the brain are engaged, crucial for developing the ability to calculate using mental images.
- Abacus and Imagination Training: Students learn to calculate both on the abacus and in their minds.
Skills Developed:
- Fine Motor Skills: Handling the abacus improves dexterity.
- Imagination: Enhances the ability to visualize and manipulate numbers mentally.
- Memory: Boosts the ability to retain and recall information.
- Basic Calculation: Students learn to calculate numbers within the range of 1-999.
Second Level (Duration: 4-6 months)
Focus:
- Advanced Number Composition: Introduces complex transitions and opposite operations, enhancing logical thinking.
Skills Enhanced:
- Strengthening First-Level Skills: Reinforces skills acquired in the first level.
- Logic: Develops the ability to think critically and solve problems.
- Memory and Discipline: Further improvements in retaining information and personal discipline.
- Leadership Qualities: Begins to foster leadership capabilities in group settings.
Third Level (Duration: 5-8 months)
Focus:
- Complex Calculations: Teaches calculation of problems that involve transitions from single-digit to multi-digit numbers and vice versa. Considered a pivotal stage in mastering mental arithmetic.
Skills Enhanced:
- Concentration: Increases the ability to focus on tasks.
- Speed of Thought: Develops faster processing abilities, crucial not only for arithmetic but general cognitive functions.
- Reinforcement of Previous Skills: Strengthens all previously acquired skills along with discipline and imagination.
Fourth Level (Duration: 2-4 months)
Focus:
- Integration of Skills: Students combine all previously learned skills, applying them comprehensively.
Skills Enhanced:
- Confidence and Leadership: Enhances self-confidence and leadership, important for personal development.
- Perseverance and Mathematical Abilities: Strengthens the ability to overcome difficulties and enhances mathematical reasoning.
Subsequent Levels (Multiplication and Division) (Duration: 9-15 months)
Focus:
- Advanced Operations: At this stage, students’ brains are well-developed, enabling them to tackle complex problems and perform multiple operations simultaneously.
Skills Enhanced:
- Memory and Persistence: Significant improvements in memory and the ability to concentrate over extended periods.
Each level builds upon the previous, with specific milestones that parents can observe and measure. These progressions ensure that children not only learn mental arithmetic but also develop a range of cognitive and interpersonal skills, contributing to their overall mental development and academic success.
What is an online platform and why is homework important?
Online Platform:
Our online platform, designed specifically for children’s education, uses the latest technology to make learning engaging, akin to playing a game. Here’s what it offers:
- Engagement: Combining education with the entertainment aspects of games increases students’ eagerness to learn.
- Motivation: Students earn “Indigo Dollars” for solving problems, which can be exchanged for gifts like backpacks or umbrellas. A “secret character” grows with their progress.
- Progress Tracking: Students can see their performance stats, motivating them to improve further.
- Results: With regular use, students can quickly surpass their peers in calculation speed.
- Accessibility: The platform works on any device, allowing practice anywhere, without needing traditional tools.
Importance of Homework:
Regular homework is essential in mastering skills in mental arithmetic, similar to how daily stretching is crucial for flexibility:
- Daily Improvement: Regular arithmetic practice sharpens speed and accuracy.
- Consistency: Mastery requires not just sporadic effort but daily dedication.
- Structure: Tasks are set by teachers, tailoring daily practice to advance each student’s skills.
- Independence: Students work in their own time, integrating learning into daily routines.
This approach ensures that students progress at their own pace, fostering not just academic skills but also discipline and responsibility.
