Melissa & Doug: Abacus |
| Product Details... |
From the Greek word abax, meaning "calculating board" or "calculating table" the Chinese abacus was invented during the Yuan Dynasty, 1280-1368 AD. The abacus is often referred to as the first computer. This brightly colored wooden abacus is a great first calculator for kids to learn counting, patterns, colors, and more! The hundred colored wooden beads slide smoothly on this classically styled high quality frame. A great value!
To use to teach children to add: Each row of the abacus can be used as a number column (ie, ones column, tens column, hundreds column and so on). To add two numbers let's use the example of adding 5 + 4. On the bottom row move 5 beads to the right side and then add another 4 beads to that side. Now count all the beads on the right side. It shows that 5 + 4 = 9. All of the beads on the bottom row are counted as one each.
For older children try adding 9 + 6. This introduces the idea of double digits and possibly their first introduction into the "ones" and "tens" columns concept. Take 9 beads from the bottom row and move it to the right. Now to add an additional 6 beads a new rule is introduced. Any time ten beads in one row is used up (all to the right), the next highest row moves 1 bead to the right. Therefore, once 10 yellow beads are over to the right, 1 green bead is moved over to the right on the second row. That makes 1 in the "tens" column. Continue moving the "ones" beads until you have 5 "ones" beads and 1 "tens" beads. The total is 15.
Next try adding 10 + 20. This will involve only the "tens" row. Each bead on the second row is worth 10. Therefore, moving 1 bead in the second row to the right equals 10. Moving 2 more beads to the right makes the total of those 3 beads 30. Therefore, 10 + 20 = 30.
Now try adding 10 + 11 or 9 + 21.
Size: 12" x 12" x 3"
See how it works? Amazing, isn't it! |
![[Melissa & Doug: Abacus]](/catalog/LJ493.jpg) |
|
|
|
|
| Recommended Age Group... |
| Suggested Age: 3 to 6 Years |
|
| We may suggest you... |
Busy Cube
A SENSORY ADVENTURE! Great Activity Center for homes, schools and waiting rooms.
Size: 24" x 24" x 45"  ...More.. | |
|
|
|
|
|
Circle of Fun
- Four Puzzle Benches of Fun Activity! Puzzle benches connect together to form a Circle of Fun. Puzzle benches can also be separated for individual play.
- 7 Award Winning Toys include: Abacus, Pathfinder, Fun Fruits to Match, Magnetic Circle Express, Magnetic Bug Life, and Sculpture Mazes #1 and #2.
- A great ac
 ...More.. | |
|
Deluxe Busy Cube
Five sides of play include: Tic Tac Toe, Flipper Game, Traffic Memory Game, Fun Paddle Wheel, and Rollercoaster Bead Maze on top. Not as big as the original Busy Cube, but just as exciting! The new compact size makes this great for the home, as well as play areas, schools and waiting rooms.  ...More.. | |
|
Deluxe Mini Play Cube
- A wonderful activity center for home, doctors' offices, schools, and waiting rooms.
- Five fun toys include: Mini Rollercoaster Express, Pathfinder, Counting Abacus, Learn the Alphabet, and Fun Gears!
- Children learn counting, cooperative play, alphabet, and eye-hand coordination. Plays on the floor or table t
 ...More.. | |
|
Funny People Twister Panel
Children can make a multitude of funny combinations when mixing and matching these fun characters! Turning the head, body, and legs of a Doctor, Cave Man, Fire Man, Ballerina, Indian Chief, Police Officer, Mermaid, Construction Worker, and Pirate will have kids "rolling" with laughter, while they use logic, learn color recognition, and  ...More.. | |
|
The Ultimate Fleur Rollercoaster Table
The Ultimate Fleur Rollercoaster Table is a wonderful activity center for homes, schools, waiting rooms, and doctors' offices. An eye-catching centerpiece for any child's room as well as a child magnet in doctor's offices and schools! The new metal spiral bead and wire legs not only add a new beauty to the Fleur Rollercoaster Table, but addition  ...More.. | |
|
Shop
By Manufacturer
