My dd is on lesson 91 of Level B. I'm wondering if it's a disadvantage to allow her to use the abacus for some of the problems that are supposed to be mentally done. For example, in the warm-up section of lesson 90, she is to add a few equations mentally. Out of 5, she'll generally get 4 or 3 right, no problem. But every so often, she gets stumped and "forgets" what she's learned so far and wants to use the abacus. When she uses the abacus, she gets the answer right without difficulty.

I hesitate to allow the abacus because it reminds me of using a calculator to figure out math problems, which requires little to no thinking.

But I know the abacus is different. Can you put this into perspective for me?

Jana, you're correct in stating that using the abacus is different than using a calculator. This is because when using the abacus your daughter "sees" the quantities and how they relate to each other. I think she is doing very well to be getting some of the questions asked solved mentally. Do not hesitate to let her use the calculator. Let he use it now so later she won't need too. By using the abacus she is setting in her mind the ability to visualize and see the abacus in her head later.

I hope this helps. Feel free to email any more questions you might have.

Sincerely, Rosine