GREAT MINDS THINK AHEAD!

It's been nearly a month since the kids have been  back to school. With the children settling into their new routines, most parents are now prepping to sign up kids for after-school activities. UCMAS Abacus remains a popular choice for many parents but there are some who are still not sure of the benefits the program yields. Go through our list of FAQs to cut the confusion and know why UCMAS is the right choice for every child. 1. I do not see the value of mental arithmetic; children are allowed to use calculators now. UCMAS is not just a math program. It is a mental development program that uses mental arithmetic as a tool. There may be some value for kids doing arithmetic that is fast and accurate but the mental abilities and skills learnt at UCMAS are the ultimate goal and can be applied to almost every aspect of child's life, academic or otherwise. 2. My child is really smart when it comes to math, does s/he still need UCMAS? As we've just s...

Galileo Galilei faced the wrath of the clergy to follow through his scientific beliefs. Deaf and blind Helen Keller rose to become one of the 20th century’s leading humanitarians. Despite virulent opposition and discrimination Martin Luther King fought against racial discrimination in America. Nelson Mandela devoted his life to fighting against Apartheid, earning even a 20-year life sentence in the process. Using only non-violence and non-cooperation Mahatma Gandhi became the face of the Indian freedom struggle. A gunshot to the head did not deter Malala Yousafzai, a young school girl, from standing up for girls’ right to education. History is peppered with examples of people who have overcome exceptionally challenging situations. Armed only with grit and fortitude they changed the world not only for themselves but millions of others. Last year, UCMAS dedicated its 21st International and 13th National Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Competition 2016 to this mental hardiness and fierce spi...

Did you know playing board games on a frequent basis is really good for you? Games don't need to be overtly academic to be educational, however. Just by virtue of playing them, board games can teach important social skills, such as communicating verbally, sharing, taking turns, and enjoying interaction with others. Board games can foster the ability to focus, and lengthen your child's attention span by encouraging the completion of an exciting, enjoyable game. Even simple board games like Snakes and Ladders offer meta-messages and life skills: Your luck can change in an instant — for the better or for the worse. The message inherent in board games is: Never give up. Just when you feel despondent, you might hit the jackpot and ascend up high, if you stay in the game for just a few more moves. Check out all the benefits below! 1. Taking Turns This is one of the first things you learn about playing games, that there are times when you get to act, and times when you wai...