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Soroban for Parents

How Long Until My Kid Can Do Mental Math with Soroban? Don't Expect What I Expected

I thought my son would be calculating in his head within weeks. The real timeline was different – here's what actually happened over 12 months.

•10 min read

"3 months of Soroban and your kid will do mental math like a calculator" – I read something like that and got excited. Reality? At month 3, my son was still getting comfortable with the abacus. Mental math was nowhere in sight. If you're researching Soroban, here's the actual timeline I wish someone had told me.

My Expectations vs. Reality

I'd watched YouTube videos of kids doing lightning-fast mental calculations. Numbers flashing, answers appearing instantly. I thought Soroban was some kind of magic that would transform my son in weeks.

Reality check: Those kids in the videos had been practicing for 2-3 YEARS, often 30-60 minutes daily. Not magic – just time and patience.

Once I understood this, I stopped being anxious. And my son stopped feeling pressured. That shift in expectations made all the difference.

The Actual Timeline: What I Observed Over 12 Months

My son practiced about 15-20 minutes daily (not every single day – let's be realistic). Here's what actually happened:

Months 1-2: Getting Familiar with the Abacus

  • •Learning how numbers look on the abacus (what does 5 look like? what does 7 look like?)
  • •Moving beads up and down
  • •Simple calculations: 1+1, 2+3 (while looking at the abacus)
  • •Slow, making mistakes, but starting to understand the logic

This stage felt frustrating. Everything was new. Some days he didn't want to practice – I didn't force him. That was important.

Months 3-4: Building Comfort, Getting Faster

  • •Single-digit addition and subtraction becoming more automatic
  • •Starting to learn 2-digit numbers
  • •Learning 'formulas' like carrying (friends of 5, friends of 10)
  • •Still needs to look at the abacus – no mental math yet

This is when things clicked. He started opening the app on his own without being asked. He liked 'leveling up' and showing off his achievement badges to me.

Months 5-6: First Signs of Mental Math

  • •Can do simple calculations (5+3, 7+2) without looking at the abacus
  • •Still needs the abacus for 2-digit numbers
  • •Starting to learn simple multiplication
  • •Noticeable speed improvement

This was the 'wow' moment. We were at the grocery store and he said '7 plus 8 is 15' – without counting on fingers like before. I nearly cried.

Months 7-12: Real Mental Math Emerges

  • •Can mentally calculate 23+15, 45-17 in his head
  • •Starting multiplication and division
  • •Faster than classmates at arithmetic (from what I've observed)
  • •Genuinely confident about math

This is when I finally thought 'Soroban actually works.' But it took nearly a year – not the 3 months I originally expected.

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Every child is different. Your kid might be faster or slower. Don't compare them to others – compare them to themselves yesterday. That's enough.

Understanding Soroban Levels

Traditional Soroban has a level system (Level 10 down to Level 1, then Dan ranks – like martial arts). Here's a simplified breakdown:

  • •Levels 10-8: Basic – simple addition and subtraction
  • •Levels 7-5: Intermediate – larger numbers, starting multiplication/division
  • •Levels 4-1: Advanced – fast, accurate calculations
  • •Dan ranks: Expert – mental math with multiple numbers simultaneously

After nearly a year, I'd estimate my son is around Level 6-7 (the app doesn't use this exact system). Honestly, I don't care about the level – as long as he's improving, I'm happy.

Factors That Affect Progress Speed

From my experience and talking to other parents:

  • •Practice frequency: 15 min/day x 7 days beats 1 hour x 2 days
  • •Starting age: Younger kids (5-7) absorb slower but build stronger foundations
  • •Interest level: Kids who enjoy it learn faster than kids being forced
  • •Encouragement: Well-timed praise keeps motivation high
  • •Learning tool: Good apps help kids learn independently without constant parent involvement

What I've Learned After One Year

Here are my takeaways after watching my son's journey:

  • •Don't expect quick results: 6-12 months is normal for visible progress
  • •Consistency over intensity: 15 minutes daily beats weekend cramming
  • •Don't force it: If he doesn't want to practice one day, let it go. Tomorrow is another day
  • •Celebrate small wins: Got 5+7 right without counting fingers? That's progress worth celebrating
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Soroban is a cumulative skill. There are no shortcuts. But with patience, results come – and they're worth it.

A Message for Parents Just Starting

If you're at month 2 or 3 and feeling discouraged because your child isn't doing mental math yet – relax. You're right on schedule. The magic happens later, and it's real.

The journey is long, but watching your child calculate in their head – eyes closed, visualizing beads, coming up with the answer – makes every minute of practice worth it.

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Ready to start the journey? Sorokid guides your child through each level, from basics to mental math, at their own pace.

See the Learning Path

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child do mental math after 3 months of Soroban?
For most children, 3 months is enough to get comfortable with the abacus and do simple calculations while looking at it. True mental math (Anzan) typically starts around 5-6 months or later.
How long should my child practice each day?
15-20 minutes daily is appropriate for elementary school children. Short but consistent practice is better than long but irregular sessions.
My child is slower than others. Is something wrong?
No. Every child learns differently. What matters is that your child is improving compared to themselves yesterday, not compared to other children.
Do we need to take level exams?
Not required. Levels are just a way to measure progress. If your child is learning Soroban to improve mental math, you don't need to worry about formal certifications.
My child has been practicing for 4 months with no mental math. Is this normal?
Completely normal. Mental math typically emerges around months 5-6 for most kids. Some take longer. Keep practicing consistently and be patient.
Can older kids catch up to those who started younger?
For practical everyday math, yes. Kids who start at 8 might take slightly longer to reach the same level, but they'll get there. Starting age matters more for competition-level performance.
How do I know if my child is progressing normally?
If they're improving at all – even slowly – they're progressing. Good apps like Sorokid track this automatically and adjust difficulty based on your child's performance.
What if my child doesn't want to practice some days?
Don't force it. Learning should be enjoyable, not stressful. Skip that day and try again tomorrow. Forcing practice can make children hate Soroban.
When will I see my child using mental math in daily life?
Usually around months 6-8. You might notice them doing simple calculations without counting fingers, or quickly answering mental math questions while shopping or playing games.
Is Soroban worth the long-term commitment?
Based on my experience, absolutely. The skills my son developed – not just calculation speed, but focus and confidence – have been invaluable. It takes patience, but the payoff is real.
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