The Value of Kumon and Abacus Beyond Calculation - For Children in the AI Era

I did Kumon arithmetic and mathematics from kindergarten through the third year of junior high school.
Memorizing the multiplication tables while crying in kindergarten is still an unpleasant memory for me.

I also worked part-time grading papers at a Kumon center for a while.

I only learned the abacus a little in elementary school and never studied it seriously.
I will write about the abacus based on what I have researched.

In this note, I would like to compare and consider Kumon-style calculation and abacus calculation from my perspective.
Due to the difference in my actual experience, I think I will talk more about Kumon.

Chapter 1: Kumon-style Calculation

Kumon handles Japanese, arithmetic/mathematics, and English. This time, I will focus on arithmetic and mathematics.

The basic style of Kumon learning is to solve assigned worksheets.
You learn how to solve problems from the teacher, and then you work on the worksheets mostly by yourself.
When you finish, you submit the worksheets to the teacher to be graded.

While waiting, you correct mistakes from your homework.

You work on both homework and the day's assignments until you get a perfect score.

If you get a perfect score easily, you can go home right away.
If there are few mistakes, the burden is light.
However, there are days when you just can't get anything right.
It means you don't understand the solution method, so it can't be helped, but this is a painful situation for a child. If the score doesn't change even after resubmitting, young children may start to cry. I think this is a situation that tests the teacher's ability to provide support.

If you work hard to get everything to 100 points and that's the end of the day's study, that's still on the better side. Sometimes, parents who come to pick up their children are irritated by having to wait and scold their children, asking, 'Why did it take so long?'
After working so hard... even though they didn't give up and worked until the end... it's painful to watch.

I've written only negative things, but Kumon learning is certainly effective.
However, there are conditions that I will describe later.

I basically worked on content about two grade levels ahead in Kumon.
The burden was heavy. There were times I wanted to quit. Even so, I was encouraged and kept going.

I believe my arithmetic and mathematical abilities were quite high when I was young.
In terms of mathematics specifically, my grades were always at the top.

After graduating from junior high school, I followed a path from a technical college to transferring into a national university's faculty of engineering, and mathematics always helped me.

When my tests were returned and I saw an incorrect answer, I would first assume the teacher was wrong. And, for the most part, I was right.
I was able to do this because I had a surplus of calculation ability. Since I didn't have to use my resources on calculation, I could pay attention to other things and ensure I had time to review.

Chapter 2: Abacus Calculation

The abacus is basically calculated using a tool called an "abacus."
You work on problems alone, and sometimes you calculate numbers read aloud by a teacher.

What is trained here is how to use the tool called an "abacus." I think this has a strong aspect of "learning with the body." In a sense, I think it has something in common with sports.

And another important thing is to build an abacus inside your own head.

There is a manga called "HUNTER×HUNTER" (Yoshihiro Togashi).
In this manga, an ability called "Nen" appears. There is a category within Nen called "Conjuration," and I think building an abacus in your head is similar to this.

By having an abacus in your head, high-speed mental arithmetic becomes possible.

Training visualization along with calculation skills.
I think this is the merit of learning the abacus.

Chapter 3: Comparison of the Strengths of Kumon and Abacus

■ Kumon Method
You learn not only arithmetic operations but also algebraic expressions, equations, and factorization.
These are also useful for school studies.

■ Abacus
The speed and accuracy of mental arithmetic improve. If you have mastered the abacus at a high level, you are overwhelmingly faster than the Kumon method when it comes to arithmetic operations.

Chapter 4: Comparison of the Weaknesses of Kumon and Abacus

■ Kumon Method
It has strengths in calculation problems, but it does not do problems like proving the congruence of triangles.
I was also quite confused when I first saw a congruence proof problem. It was completely different from the calculation problems I had done before. In fact, calculation skills are not really required.
It took practice to be able to solve them.

■ Abacus
Arithmetic operations become faster, but you do not do equations or factorization.
You need to study these on your own.
I think some children will struggle with this.

Chapter 5: Attitude Toward Studying

This applies to both the Kumon method and the abacus,if you do not increase your concentration and work on it, it will not be very effective.

In the Kumon method, although there is a teacher in the classroom, it is fundamentally self-directed learning. Whether or not a child engages with focus depends on the individual. I believe it is particularly ineffective for children who end up fooling around with friends.

Focus is also important for the abacus. If you work on it absent-mindedly, you won't understand what you are doing.
However, since you have the abacus tool in your hands, I think it is slightly easier to focus.
Beyond that, the atmosphere created by the teacher is important.

Concentration can be improved through training.
It is necessary to make children fully understand that they need to switch gears between playtime and study time.

Chapter 6: Kumon and Abacus from the Perspective of the Brain

When it comes to arithmetic and mathematics, the Kumon method specializes in using the left brain. It can train calculation skills and logical thinking.

The abacus can train both the left and right brain in a balanced way. Beyond just calculation, the act of creating and using an abacus in your mind trains the right brain.

Chapter 7: The Meaning of Learning Kumon and Abacus in the AI Era

If judged solely by calculation ability, both Kumon and the abacus lose not only to computers but even to calculators.
Even when considering linear algebra, functions, and calculus, if you use programming languages that excel at calculation like MATLAB or R, computers win by a landslide.

Furthermore, AI is evolving rapidly.
While using MATLAB or R required a certain level of knowledge, AI can be commanded using natural language. It is now difficult to find value solely in human calculation ability.

Excluding the fact that it is "useful for entrance exam study," is there any value in learning Kumon or the abacus in this day and age?

I believe there is.
That is because it has the effect of training the brain. Kumon specializes in training the left brain. The abacus trains both sides of the brain in a balanced way.

In the AI era, isn't it important to have doubts, notice problems, and pose questions?
That is something AI cannot do. AI can organize information, calculate, and imitate, but it never asks the question, "Why are we doing this?"

While knowledge is necessary for that, what is more fundamental is brainpower.
Both Kumon and the abacus can train brainpower.

Furthermore, concentration is an essential skill for learning and engaging in any task.
If children develop the habit of focusing on tasks through Kumon or abacus, their concentration will grow.

That said, people have different aptitudes.
I believe that the timing for studying varies from person to person. Some people hate studying as children but become interested in it as adults. I think that is fine, and I hope for a society where that is accepted.

Nevertheless, as someone who has experienced the benefits of Kumon, I wish for this:
May children focus on their tasks in Kumon and abacus classrooms!

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