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Asian girl confidently moving Soroban beads with a smile - sign of learning correctly
Soroban for Parents

How Do I Know If My Child Is Learning Soroban Correctly?

Your child has been learning Soroban for months. How do you know if they're progressing or stuck? Here are the signs I look for – and the milestones to expect.

•12 min read

My daughter has been learning Soroban for a few months, and I started worrying: "Is she making progress? Or learning it wrong?" I don't know Soroban myself, so I couldn't evaluate her technique. After researching and observing, I identified the signs that tell me she's on track.

Don't Expect Results Immediately

The first thing I learned: Soroban takes time. For the first 1-2 months, you won't see anything dramatic. Your child is just getting familiar with the abacus – learning how to move the beads, represent numbers.

If you're in month 2-3 and think "nothing's changed," don't worry. That's completely normal.

Signs Your Child Is Learning Correctly

1. They Understand Numbers on the Abacus

Ask your child: "What does 7 look like on the abacus?" If they can describe it (or draw it) – they understand. This is the most important foundation.

I test my daughter randomly: "What's 13?" "What's 8?" If she can answer, we're good.

2. They Don't Count on Fingers Anymore

Before Soroban, my daughter would count on her fingers for 5+3. After a few months, she stopped – she "sees" it in her head instead.

I noticed this at the grocery store. I asked "How much for these 3 items?" and she answered without finger-counting.

3. Speed Is Gradually Improving

Compare this month to last month. It doesn't need to be dramatically faster – just a little bit faster is good progress.

If you use an app, check completion times. Going from 5 minutes to 3 minutes on the same type of problem = real progress.

4. They Start "Looking Up" When Calculating

This is a great sign: they're visualizing the abacus mentally. When asked a math problem, they look up (or close their eyes) to "see" the abacus – instead of looking down to count.

I noticed my daughter doing this around month 4-5. That's when I knew something was changing in her brain.

5. They Still Enjoy Learning (Or At Least Don't Hate It)

If your child opens the app on their own without nagging – that's a good sign. If they resist, cry, or fight every time – something needs to change.

Your child doesn't need to be "passionate" about Soroban. They just need to not hate it.

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Every child progresses differently. Your child might be slower than others – and that's completely normal. Compare your child to their yesterday-self, not to other kids.

Signs You Might Need to Adjust

Some signs suggest adjustment might be needed:

  • •After 3-4 months, still can't recognize numbers on the abacus: The learning approach might not fit them
  • •They hate every practice session: They might be pushed too hard
  • •They "go through the motions" without understanding: May need to slow down
  • •Speed hasn't improved after many months: Method might need review

Seeing these signs doesn't mean "failure." It might just mean adjustment: less practice time, different app, or a break before trying again.

How I Track My Daughter's Progress

I don't know Soroban, so I can't "test" her technique. Instead, here's what I do:

  • •Check app reports: Sorokid has a tracking section – I see which lessons she's completed, her accuracy %
  • •Random quizzes on the go: "I'm buying 3 cookies at $15 each. How much total?" – I watch how she answers
  • •Compare to last month: Last month she took 5 minutes per lesson, this month 3 minutes – progress!
  • •Ask how she feels: "Does this feel easier than last month?" – she evaluates herself

Progress Milestones I've Observed

Here's my daughter's timeline (each child may differ):

  • •Month 1-2: Getting familiar, can read numbers on the abacus
  • •Month 3-4: Can calculate single-digit numbers without finger-counting
  • •Month 5-6: Starts visualizing the abacus mentally
  • •Month 7-9: Can do mental math with 2-digit numbers
  • •Month 10-12: Faster and more confident

My daughter isn't the fastest learner. But she's consistently improving – and that's enough.

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Don't overthink "Is my child on track?" If they're practicing regularly, not hating it, and you notice small signs (no finger-counting, looking up when calculating) – they're doing fine. Just be patient a little longer.

What NOT to Worry About

  • •❌ Comparing to other kids: Everyone learns at their own pace
  • •❌ Occasional bad days: Progress isn't linear
  • •❌ Not being the fastest: Speed comes later, accuracy first
  • •❌ Still using the physical abacus: Mental math develops gradually

When to Consider a Break

Take a break when your child is tired, bored, or has other priorities. A few days to 1-2 weeks off is perfectly fine and won't hurt progress. What matters is coming back with a positive attitude, not feeling forced.

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Sorokid has detailed progress tracking features that help you see where your child is – even if you don't know Soroban yourself.

See Tracking Features

Frequently Asked Questions

My child has been learning for 3 months with no visible progress. Is that normal?
Yes, completely normal. The first 3 months are mainly about getting familiar with the abacus – learning to represent numbers and move beads correctly. Visible calculation improvements usually appear from month 4-6. Don't give up yet.
How do I know if my child is truly understanding vs just memorizing?
Ask them to explain: 'Why is 7+5=12?' If they can describe it using the abacus ('5 plus 5 is 10, plus 2 more is 12'), they understand. If they just recite the answer without explaining, the learning method might need adjustment.
How often should I check my child's progress?
Once a month is sufficient. Don't check daily – that creates unnecessary pressure. Naturally observing through everyday situations (shopping, splitting snacks) works better than formal testing.
My child is progressing slower than others. Should I be concerned?
No. Every child has a different pace depending on many factors. What matters is progress compared to their own past performance, not compared to others. Don't create comparison pressure.
What signs indicate my child needs to adjust their learning approach?
After 3-4 months still can't recognize numbers on abacus, hates every practice session, goes through motions without understanding, or speed hasn't improved after months. If you see these signs, consider adjusting: less practice time, different app, or take a break.
I don't know Soroban myself. How can I monitor my child?
Check app reports (Sorokid has this feature), give random quizzes on the go ('How much for 3 of these?'), compare lesson completion times to previous months, and ask your child how they feel ('Is this easier than before?').
What does it mean when my child 'looks up' while calculating?
Excellent sign! They're visualizing the abacus in their mind – meaning they're transitioning to mental calculation (Anzan). I noticed my daughter doing this around month 4-5. It means something is genuinely developing in their brain.
When should I let my child take a break?
When they're tired, bored, or have other priorities. A few days to 1-2 weeks off is perfectly fine and won't significantly impact progress. What matters is returning with a positive attitude, not feeling forced.
My child doesn't want to learn anymore. What should I do?
Find out why: Too hard? Too easy? Just bored? Try changing format (physical abacus to app or vice versa), reduce practice time, add games. If they're still not interested after a few weeks of adjustments, Soroban might not be right for them – and that's okay.
What are normal progress milestones?
Reference: Month 1-2 can read numbers on abacus; Month 3-4 calculates single-digits without finger-counting; Month 5-6 starts mental visualization; Month 7-9 mental math with 2-digit numbers; Month 10-12 faster and more confident. Each child may be faster or slower – this is just a reference.
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