RIYADH, 16 August 2007 — In the age of technology it seems strange to think that the ancient abacus is back through a project called Mental Arithmetic Program, otherwise known as Universal Concept of Mental Arithmetic System (UCMAS), a mental calculation program that helps children and teenagers achieve the highest level of their intelligence and develop their mental skills.
The program, which is a modern representation of the so-called Zhusuan Methodology, is a technique of coordination of brain and body developed in China that has became popular all over Asia. The method uses the Chinese abacus as a means to spur interest in math.
The process had been made simple to suit the present-day curriculum, especially for children who hate math or find it difficult, struggle at analyses or have difficulty in concentration. The mental arithmetic method also enhances the child’s ability to create and to focus.
The 15-year-old program has benefited 10 million people through more than 1,811 centers around the world in over 28 countries.
Mental arithmetic is a form of calculation that does not involve the use of any physical or external gadgets, such as calculators or computers. The skill is developed early through the use of the abacus. Eventually children are trained to calculate large numbers in seconds with accuracy and speed.
Furthermore, through this method children undergo a process to develop other aspects of their minds such as concentration, visualization, imagination and memory.
Research on brain science reveals that the left hemisphere provides analytical information processing and is good at dealing with information concerning languages and sound, and the right hemisphere provides integral information processing and is good at dealing with information concerning shape and space. Since the right hand is used more often than the left hand, the right brain function is not so well developed. UCMAS is the result of such research and it uses the abacus for right-brain development.
“Although it targets children with math phobia, through constant exploration and practice the children get the concept of numbers,” said Mohammad Rafi, chief executive of UCMAS Saudi Arabia. “Soon all other information is absorbed and processed faster in the mind and children acquire speed and better concentration and get rid of their fear.”
UCMAS is considered a tool for whole brain development for children between the ages of four and 14, the years for the human brain’s greatest growth, according to Rafi.
“The idea to bring UCMAS to Saudi Arabia came as we noticed after meeting with parents and children that students were avoiding the whole subject,” said Rafi. “So we brought the program to Saudi Arabia and although it was slowly accepted at the beginning, now children, parents and even teachers are enthusiastic about it.”
Rafi says that after three years there are eight centers in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, and as many as 20 schools offering the program as an after-school activity and during the summer vacation.
Umm Talal, a working mother of four, noticed that her second son Hassan was having difficulties in math at school.
“He is different from his brother and lacks confidence in this matter, although his teachers notice that he is intelligent,” she said. “When I heard about the program from a friend I put Hassan into it hoping to boost his confidence, which is what happened.”
