Upper bead
One upper bead on a rod is counted as 5 when it moves down to the bar.
Abacus Lab
Explore the Abacus Lab
See how children move from bead practice to mental maths.
Upper bead = 5
Lower beads = 1 each
Beads touching the bar are counted
Page highlights
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Upper bead = 5
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Lower beads = 1 each
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Beads touching the bar are counted
Experience
Start with the basics, watch how your child responds, and choose the next step with a clearer mind.
Soroban-style abacus
Move beads toward the bar to count them.
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10k
1k
100
10
1
Upper bead = 5.
Each lower bead = 1.
Beads touching the bar are counted.
How beads become numbers
Children first see the number before they solve it
A soroban rod works like a place-value column. The upper bead is worth five. Each lower bead is worth one. When beads touch the reckoning bar, they are counted.
Lower beads
Each lower bead is counted as 1 when it moves up to the bar.
Rods
The rightmost rods show ones, tens, hundreds, and higher places.
Place value
A child learns that 105 is 1 hundred, 0 tens, and 5 ones.
Learning journey
From fingers to mental images
The goal is not to rush. The teacher watches how the child listens, moves beads, writes answers, and handles mistakes.
Touch and move beads
Children learn what each bead is worth by moving it with their own fingers.
See numbers visually
The rod position and bead movement help the number take shape in front of them.
Practise short sums
Small sums and worksheets help the child repeat the same idea without rushing.
Build mental images
With practice, children begin to picture the beads and calculate without counting on fingers.
Want your child to try this with a teacher?
Book a free demo class. Your child can try bead movement, a few simple sums, and a short practice task.