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Hefei Shilimiao Primary School students start mornings with a special regimen performed with abacuses. Provided to China Daily
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Dongli Fengmei Kangjian School has more than 200 intermediately or severely developmentally challenged students ages 7-16, who study the device. The school offers nine-year compulsory education for children with learning disabilities. Shanghai's Xuhui district government founded the school in 1994.
It was initially difficult for the school to offer math courses because there were no appropriate textbooks and few resources.
The school began cooperating with the Shanghai Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Association after the association began researching abacus lessons' impacts in 1997.
"We use abacuses all the time to teach math," says Yang Jian, head of the mathematics instruction and research group. "The abacus is a kid's best friend."
She says it's helpful for autistic children, who like patterns and can't comprehend complicated instructions. The abacus operates according to simple and clear procedures. Its formulas are pithy and systematic. Autistic kids are sensitive to auditory stimulation, so the beads' clacks fascinate them.
Yang says children with Down syndrome like to imitate others, including those who use abacuses. Repeating formulas with teachers also enhances their speaking.
The abacus proves difficult for such children, who can only perform very simple calculations. But the course focuses on teaching them greater independence, Yang says.
"Parents worry that it's difficult for their kids to learn to calculate," she says.
"The abacus helps them learn math fast. We have a lot of time to teach them how to use calculations in real life."
Teachers use abacuses to teach students to identify the yuan's nominal values, and determine and compare prices.
They also take students to markets to shop and to dine in a restaurant, so they can put what they've learned into practice.
Wang Hai says the abacus has done wonders for her 9-year-old daughter, who has Down syndrome.
"I taught my girl the numbers from 1 to 10 for two years, but she couldn't quite get it," says Wang, who works in the foreign trade sector in Shanghai.
"But she started making rapid progress since she began learning the abacus. She can even do some simple calculations."
Qian Qing, a stay-at-home mom whose 11-year-old autistic son studies at the school, says the device helps kids like him better understand numbers and basic calculations.
She takes him to convenience stores every day, so he can buy his favorite snacks and pay on his own.
"We have to help children with special needs understand the rules of buying things, such as lining up," Qian says.
President of the China Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Association Ding Xianjue believes the abacus' World Intangible Cultural Heritage listing is a great opportunity to promote it.
The association will focus on the instruction of children and the combination of the abacus and mathematics.
Ultimately, the UNESCO listing may change the equation and add up to a greater number of people, especially contemporary youth, learning how to use "the world's oldest calculator".
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