[Contributed by Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, Taiwan, China; author: Hui-Wan Liao]

I. Life-long Learning - Abacus and Mental Arithmetic is Beneficial to Brain Exercise

Health care for the elderly is the subject with the highest attention in the elderly society. Among the problems faced by the elderly, the most thorny one is the loss of intelligence and disability, which is the most worrying problem as well as the personal health and social crisis. We must face up to the importance of health care for the elderly. Integrate abacus and mental arithmetic education with social welfare resources to promote the study of “Brain Exercise through Leling Abacus and Mental Arithmetic for the Elderly” so as to achieve the goal of exercising the brain and preventing degeneration.

II. The Advocates of “Brain Exercise Through Leling Abacus and Mental Arithmetic for the Elderly” Base on Learning Principles of “Three Bigs”, “Three Multiples” and “Three Nots” to Design Learning Programs for Changqing Group.

Three Bigs: Using relatively big abacuses, the digital contents of teaching materials should be widened and the font should be big to address the problem of impaired vision. Three Multiples: “multiple languages” to approach the learners, “multiple teaching programs and materials” to increase varieties, and “multiple rewards and stimulations”. Three Notes: The progress of teaching should not be too fast, should not compare and say no, and should not give compulsory homework.

III. Multiple Learning and Multiple Stimulation. Students of Changqing Group need more interaction and stimulation. It is better to be easy than difficult in the process, with confidence-building as the primary goal.

While learning advanced parts, it is better to be slow than fast. Trials and mistakes constitute an inevitable process. It is very important for the advocates to be patient and tolerant in mentoring the students of Changqing Group. Only by allowing students to study in a stress-free environment can they extend their study time and also enable them to study continuously, so as to achieve the goal of preventing mental deterioration with lifelong learning.

IV. Sharing of Actual Courses

1. The plan to recruit students is widely advocated when the class starts. Local neighborhood leaders can be invited to publicize it.   

2. Class management takes abacus and mental arithmetic teaching as its main axis, supplemented by whole brain learning and life sharing as interactive activities. Students’ self-growth is the main factor, and no rigid requirements are required. Create a relaxed learning environment so that the elderly are willing to participate in learning.

V. Sharing of Learning Experience

Several students who have been learning without interruption simply record their learning experience. Basically, they are happy to learn and grow.

VI. Curriculum Design (Following up)

VII. Promoting the Residential Development of Leling Abacus and Mental Arithmetic for the Elderly - Striving for the Assistance of Social Welfare Resources

The “Leling Abacus and Mental Arithmetic for the Elderly” is promoted with the help of government resources. The most prominent figure in this regard is Mr. Hsi-Chin Lee, Founder and Chairman of Chinese Abacus Academic Research Society, Taiwan, China. The “Long Life” grade fun competition of Leling Abacus and Mental Arithmetic for the Elderly, initiated on November 2, 2013, aims to actively promote the learning in this regard. After that, the Municipal Health Bureau held a “Free Interest Class on Leling Abacus and Mental Arithmetic for the Elderly” in the Leling Learning Centers in the eastern and western districts and Changqing Park, which was the first county and city in Chinese Taiwan to promote the learning of Leling Abacus and Mental Arithmetic for the Elderly in public institutions.