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ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMES

Abacus & Mental Arithmetic

Ages 4 to 7 years old

Developed exclusively for Crestar Learning Centre by abacus experts from Taiwan, our Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Course is designed to maximise every child’s mental agility. With the use of the right techniques that tackle complicated mental calculation, the programme sharpens memory and concentration abilities.

What is Abacus and Mental Arithmetic?

Abacus and mental arithmetic teaches children to calculate using a physical 5-bead abacus, then trains them to visualise it entirely in their minds. Over time, children develop the ability to solve complex arithmetic mentally, with speed and confidence.

This multi-sensory approach engages the brain, eyes, and hands simultaneously, building deep cognitive connections that support learning well beyond Mathematics.

Crestar’s Abacus Programme

Pedagogically
Designed

Small Class
Size

Comprehensive
Course Path

International
Grading

Core Benefits of Crestar’s Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Course:

  • The coordinated use of the brain, eyes and hands sharpen a child’s memory and concentration power.
  • Builds a child’s mental calculation skills, providing him or her with the ability to use traditional calculation tools to reach scientific educational results.
  • Enables child to do mental calculations that involve single digits and complex mathematical formulae.
  • Aids the development of the left and right brain through use of mental imagery to calculate and do sums.
  • Progressive training in understanding numerical concepts in a stress-free environment.
  • Trains child to be creative, disciplined, patient and confident.
  • Spurs an interest in numbers.

Programme Structure

11 lessons per term

1 lesson per week

60 minutes per lesson

Progression Through Levels: Children advance through five carefully sequenced levels, each building naturally on the last:

Every child begins at the Fundamental Level, regardless of prior experience. This ensures every learner starts with a confident, solid foundation — no child is ever thrown in at the deep end.

Topics Covered

The curriculum takes children on a journey from hands-on discovery to impressive mental mastery:

Introduction to the Abacus: Understanding the tool, and how it works.

Beads Recognition: Learning the value and position of each bead with accuracy and poise.

Basic Arithmetic Operations: Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using the abacus.

Advanced Mental Arithmetic Techniques: Building speed, accuracy, and fluency in calculation.

Visualisation of Abacus Movement: Training the mind to see and move beads internally, enabling full mental calculation without a physical tool.

This step-by-step progression — from concrete learning to abstract mental agility — is what makes abacus education so uniquely powerful for young children.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, each student will be required to bring along their own stationary, abacus and abacus workbook. Abacus workbooks can be purchased at our centre reception counter.

Classes are kept small at a 1:8 student-to-teacher ratio — so your child always receives the individual attention they need to learn well and grow with confidence.

No prior experience is needed. All students begin from the Fundamental Level, ensuring every child — whatever their starting point — builds on a strong foundation from day one.

Crestar provides annual grading examinations for our Crestar students, which is benchmarked to the International Abacus Mathematics Association (IAMA).