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Why Choose Master Mind For Abacus Learning?
📅 30 Aug, 2013 · ✍️ Admin
Last updated: 30 September 2026
Abacus education has been widely adopted by many parents internationally because of its power to help children succeed in their academics. It then becomes a primary concern that such courses should be taken from companies that make the learning effective and expedient.
How would you know if you are admitting your child to the Right Place?
Being a parent, you should most importantly consider that any course other than the regular school course should not become a burden for the child. It should smoothly complement the school syllabus and thus add to the classroom performance. For a fuller list of points to compare, you can use our 10-point checklist for choosing an abacus class.
Many of the companies offering Abacus courses have been teaching methods that are directly taken from those taught by foreign countries. It, therefore, can become difficult for the child to learn two contradictory systems, which do not correlate with each other.
School-Based Calculating Methods
Mastermind Abacus on the other hand makes Abacus learning simplified. It is based on the School-Based Calculating Methods which can be easily accepted by small kids. Indian schools teach calculations from right to left and so does Mastermind. Many other Abacus courses teach methods of calculations which are carried out from left to right. You can read more about the story and teaching approach behind Mastermind Abacus, which has been teaching children since 2005.
One Sum in the Notebook and on the Abacus
To see what "school-based" means in practice, take a simple sum: 47 + 38. The table below shows how a child solves it in the school notebook, and how the same order of steps is followed on the abacus. This step-by-step thinking is one part of the Mastermind Method of teaching abacus.
| Step | In the school notebook | On the abacus (school-based method) | What the child notices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Write the numbers | Writes 47, and 38 just below it | Sets 47 on the rods: 4 on the tens rod and 7 on the ones rod | The number is placed the same way in both |
| 2. Start with the ones | Adds 7 + 8 = 15 | Adds 8 on the ones rod | Both begin from the right side |
| 3. Handle the carry | Writes 5 and carries 1 to the tens | Ones rod now shows 5 and one bead is added on the tens rod | The carry can be seen and touched |
| 4. Move to the tens | Adds 4 + 3 + 1 = 8 | Adds 3 on the tens rod, which now shows 8 | The order stays the same: ones first, then tens |
| 5. Read the answer | 85 | Rods read 8 and 5, so the answer is 85 | Same answer, reached in the same direction |
This is a simplified illustration. In class, the trainer teaches the exact bead movements for each step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a "school-based calculating method" actually mean?
It means the abacus steps follow the same order a child already uses in the school notebook. The child starts with the ones, handles the carry, and then moves to the tens and hundreds. So the abacus feels like an extension of school maths, not a separate system. You can also read how abacus, Vedic math and school math compare.
Why does the direction of calculation matter for a young child?
Young children depend heavily on routine. If school says "start from the right" and another class says "start from the left", a child may mix up the two while doing homework. When both follow one direction, the child has only one habit to build, and practice in one place supports the other.
Is one direction of calculating right and the other wrong?
No. Both directions reach the correct answer. The difference is only in how closely the method matches what a child does in school. At Mastermind, we chose the right-to-left order because it is the one Indian schools teach. Our post on abacus education and school math side by side explains more.
My child has already learnt abacus somewhere else, working left to right. Can they shift?
Yes, a child can shift. The beads and their values stay the same, so earlier learning is not wasted. Only the order of steps changes, and most children need a little time and guided practice to settle into it. It is best to speak with the trainer first, so the right starting point can be decided.
Will an abacus class add to my child's school workload?
It should not, and that is the first point we ask parents to check. At Mastermind, the course has two one-hour classes a week, with short, regular practice at home. Because the method follows the school order of calculating, abacus practice and school sums tend to support each other.
How can I judge whether an abacus course suits my child before enrolling?
Ask for a demo class and watch your child, not the brochure. See whether your child understands the steps, enjoys the activity, and can relate it to school sums. Ask the trainer how the method connects with the school syllabus. You can book a free demo of our live online abacus classes to see this for yourself.
Is the same school-based method taught in live online classes?
Yes. The method and the course are the same whether a child learns at a centre or in a live online class. Only the classroom changes. In both, a trained teacher guides the child through the same order of steps, so a child can learn from wherever is convenient for the family.
Is there a minimum age to join Mastermind's abacus course?
The Mastermind Abacus programme is for children aged 6 to 14. It has 10 levels, and each level takes about three months. For younger children aged 5 to 6, we offer Lingo Bingo, our early learning programme at our centres, which prepares them gently before abacus begins.
Therefore, Mastermind’s Abacus course is well worth considering for your child. It can help your child build mental arithmetic abilities at a young age and may also support their performance in school. Parents who wish to help at home can read our guide to developing mental math skills.
Author – Mr. Naveen Chowdhari
Naveen Chowdhari is the Founder & Director of Mastermind Abacus, a leading name in children’s mental math and brain development training. By blending traditional abacus methods with modern teaching techniques, he has created an innovative system that enhances children’s concentration, memory, visualization, speed, and overall cognitive skills. Under his leadership, Mastermind Abacus now provides worldwide online abacus classes and has built a strong global franchise network, making quality brain-development education accessible across the world.
Last Updated: 30 September 2026