One of parents’ most common questions: what is the right age to start? The answer depends on the child’s cognitive development more than the number of years.
The ideal age: around 6
By age six, a child’s working memory is mature enough to follow a structured curriculum, and the brain is still flexible enough to acquire the skill quickly.
Younger than 6
Younger children can be introduced to playing with the beads to build number sense, but they often need an adult to explain things.
Older children and adults
You can start at any age; progress in the first levels may be a little slower due to existing arithmetic habits, but learners quickly catch up. See also Can adults learn the soroban?
Signs of readiness
- Knows the numbers 0 to 9.
- Can focus for several minutes.
- Follows simple two-step instructions.