Abacus Learning and Mental Health

Last updated: 22 September 2026

The benefits of Abacus learning on a child’s brain development have been known for years. Several scientific studies have explored the possible link between Abacus learning and the mental well-being of a child.

“Abacus training improves mental health,” a statement if made still raises many eyebrows.

A peek back into history gives us a better understanding of the Abacus. The available historical studies point to traders in China and, later, Japan using the Abacus as a calculating tool for many centuries. The effects of Abacus training on children's mental health and brain functions have been a subject of study and evaluation among scientists globally for the past 20 years.
Let us take a look at some of their findings below.

Findings of The Research Work

Findings from neuroimaging (brain-scan) studies on children and from various other studies suggest that abacus mental arithmetic training can have a positive effect on brain function in children and adults.

In 2013, research at Zhejiang University in China used brain-imaging technology to measure brain activation of 17 children trained in Abacus Mental Math. They reported that abacus-trained children had higher brain activation and better integration of multiple brain neural networks.

Another study on a group of elderly patients in 2016 by researchers in Spain to assess and analyze the effects of Abacus Math suggested that Abacus training methods may be useful for mental stimulation in older adults.

These are small studies, so they do not prove everything, but they suggest that abacus training stimulates the brain and may strengthen the connections between brain networks. For parents, they are encouraging signs that regular abacus practice can support healthy, active thinking in children and in older adults.

Research suggests that children trained in abacus mental math use a mental picture of the abacus as a memory bank to retrieve numbers, while others rely mostly on counting and verbal steps to solve a problem.

Most of us lean more on some thinking styles than others. Abacus practice encourages children to use visual thinking and logical thinking together, which is why we often describe it as whole-brain practice.

As the brain is being stimulated through Abacus training it results in a high level of engagement and satisfaction in users regardless of age. This is an encouraging sign of the positive effects of Abacus training.

We all agree that mental health is very important for our overall well-being. This becomes more important in these days of cut throat competition as many parents and teachers see that our children are under immense pressure and have to deal with school stress, peer pressure, etc. Their mental fitness will decide how well they deal with these daily pressures.

Hence, it is prudent to focus on their mental health along with their physical fitness. If nutritious food and regular exercise are important for a child's physical health, using an Abacus helps in brain exercise and keeps the brain active and healthy. You can read more about the wider benefits of abacus learning for children on our website.

Brain activities stimulated by Abacus training can help reduce math-related anxiety in many children. Therefore, the more the child enjoys using the Abacus, the happier and more relaxed they feel about numbers. The children use their hands and fingers to move the Abacus beads, which helps them develop their fine motor skills.

Please note: Abacus is an educational activity, not a therapy; persistent difficulties should be assessed by a qualified professional.

What Abacus Can and Cannot Do for Stress

Many parents ask us whether abacus can calm an anxious child. The honest answer is that it can ease math-related stress, but it works best alongside healthy daily habits like good sleep, outdoor play and screen-free brain breaks for children. Here is a simple myth vs fact check to set the right expectations.

We at Mastermind suggest to the parents that; children can acquire Abacus skills at any age, but the most benefits are seen when a kid begins their Abacus class between the age of 6 to 14 years, which are the early years of education. (For 5-year-olds, we offer our separate Lingo Bingo programme for ages 5 to 6.) The reason behind this advice is that these are years of rapid brain development. Also, children possess the acquired motor skills during this age to confidently manipulate the Abacus beads.

It is the dominant hand that people use to perform any task. In an Abacus class, the children use both hands simultaneously to perform any calculation. Using both hands to move the beads of the Abacus stimulates both sides of the brain and keeps the brain actively engaged.

Abacus class has made it easy to calculate basic mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication. It’s an enhancement tool for mental operations that helps solve math operations from the very basic to more advanced problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can abacus classes reduce stress in children?

Abacus classes can help reduce math-related stress for many children. Step-by-step practice makes numbers feel familiar, and small daily wins build confidence. That calm confidence often carries over to schoolwork. However, stress has many causes, such as sleep, school load and friendships, so abacus should be one healthy activity among several, not the only answer.

Is abacus a therapy for anxiety, ADHD or dyscalculia?

No. Abacus is an educational activity, not a therapy, and it cannot diagnose or cure any condition. It can support focus, number sense and confidence as part of learning. If your child shows persistent worry, attention difficulties or serious trouble with numbers, please have them assessed by a qualified professional.

How can I tell if abacus practice is stressing my child?

Watch for signs such as crying before class, avoiding practice, getting upset over small mistakes or calling themselves “bad at maths” more often. These usually mean the pace or pressure is too high. Talk to the teacher, shorten home practice, and praise effort over speed. Abacus should feel challenging but enjoyable, never frightening.

How much abacus practice is healthy for a child?

Short, regular practice works best. Our abacus programme runs two 1-hour classes a week, with each of the 10 levels lasting about 3 months. At home, a few focused minutes of daily practice is usually enough. Long, pressured sessions can backfire, so keep practice relaxed, and stop while your child still enjoys it.

At what age can my child start abacus?

Mastermind’s abacus programme is designed for children aged 6 to 14, in both online and offline classes. By six, most children have the finger control and attention span to move beads confidently. For five-year-olds, we offer Lingo Bingo, a separate offline programme for ages 5 to 6.

Mastermind Abacus knows that Abacus is not just about developing Mental Math skills in the students, but it is an investment for their bright future. In addition to overcoming math phobia, Abacus class also lays a strong academic foundation for your kid and supports their overall well-being. Mastermind Abacus has been in Abacus Education since 2005 and has a global presence in 17 countries.

Mastermind Abacus has developed a unique live E-learning platform. We now have equally effective Offline and Online Abacus Classes for the students.

So, book a free demo today!

Read More: Teaching Mental Math To Younger Kids