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Soroban for Parents

I Work Full-Time – How Do I Fit Soroban Into Our Schedule?

Getting home at 7pm exhausted, the last thing I wanted was another commitment. Here's how we made Soroban work with our crazy schedule – and you can too.

•8 min read

When I first heard about Soroban, I thought: 'That sounds great, but how? I work all day – who's going to sit with my daughter and teach her?' Turns out there's another way.

The Problem: No Time, No Knowledge, No Budget

I read about Soroban – how it helps kids with mental math, builds focus, develops the brain. I wanted my daughter to learn. But:

  • •No time to drive her to a Soroban center
  • •Weekends are for family, not running to extra classes
  • •I don't know Soroban myself, so I can't teach her
  • •Private tutors? Way too expensive

I thought I'd have to give up on the idea. Until I discovered Soroban learning apps.

Trying Online Learning

I let my daughter try a free trial. The surprise: she could learn by herself.

The app guides step-by-step. What this lesson is about, which beads to move, what the result should be. She didn't need me sitting next to her. I just made myself tea and watched from a distance.

After a few days, I didn't need to sit nearby anymore. She opens the app herself, practices for 15-20 minutes. I cook dinner, do housework – occasionally checking to see what she's working on.

What I Love Most About Online Soroban

  • •Flexible timing: She can practice anytime – early morning, after dinner, before bed
  • •I don't need to know Soroban: The app teaches everything
  • •Remote progress tracking: I check her progress on the app, know exactly where she's at
  • •Much cheaper: Compared to tutors or learning centers
  • •Self-motivated learning: No one forces her – she WANTS to 'level up'

The Challenges (Because It's Not Always Easy)

It hasn't always been smooth sailing:

  • •First week required sitting together: To get her familiar with the app and build the habit
  • •Some days she's lazy: Doesn't want to practice. I don't force it – skip that day, try again tomorrow
  • •Screen time control needed: Once practice is done, device goes away. No endless screen time
  • •No human interaction: Some kids prefer having a real person to talk to
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If you're feeling guilty about being too busy to help your child with learning – I understand. I felt the same way. But finding the right tool is also a way of caring for your child.

Three Months Later: The Results

My daughter has been using Sorokid for about 3 months now. Here's what I've noticed:

  • •Her mental math is noticeably faster
  • •She practices on her own without anyone reminding her
  • •I'm not stressed about supervising her learning anymore
  • •Our evenings are more relaxed

I'm not saying this is the perfect method. But for my situation – working all day, not knowing Soroban, no time to drive to classes – this was the best fit.

Our Daily Routine: The 15-Minute Rule

Here's exactly how we fit Soroban into our busy schedule:

  • •When: Right after dinner, before any screen time
  • •How long: 15 minutes, non-negotiable
  • •Where: Kitchen table while I clean up
  • •Reward: After practice, she can watch her show

That's it. No driving. No waiting. Just 15 minutes on the tablet while I'm nearby doing other things. The secret isn't finding MORE time – it's attaching learning to time that already exists.

If You're Also Busy

I'm not telling you to do exactly what I did. Every family is different. But if you're also struggling with helping your child learn because you're too busy, maybe online learning is worth trying.

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Being a good parent isn't about spending the most time supervising your child. It's about finding what works best for your child – and your whole family.

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Busy schedule? Sorokid fits into just 15 minutes – practice anywhere, anytime, with no commute required.

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Frequently Asked Questions

My child knows nothing about Soroban. Can they still learn online?
Yes! The app teaches from the very beginning – starting with how to recognize numbers on the abacus. No prior knowledge needed.
Is online learning as effective as in-person classes?
It depends on your child. Some kids actually learn better online because they can go at their own pace. Others prefer having a real teacher. Try it to see which fits your child.
How many minutes per day is enough?
15-20 minutes is ideal for elementary school kids. Short but consistent beats long but irregular every time.
How do I get my child to practice independently?
Sit with them the first week to build the habit. Practice at the same time every day. After 2-3 weeks, the routine forms and they become more self-motivated.
Is 15 minutes really enough to make progress?
Yes! Research shows short daily practice beats longer occasional sessions. 15 focused minutes daily adds up to 7.5 hours monthly – that's real learning.
What if I can't be present during practice?
The app works independently. Many parents have their kids practice while cooking or doing chores nearby. You don't need to actively supervise every minute.
Don't kids need in-person instruction for Soroban?
For fundamentals, apps teach very effectively. In-person instruction adds value for advanced levels or competition prep, but isn't necessary for most kids just learning mental math.
What if my child gets bored with the app?
Good apps like Sorokid have gamification – points, levels, achievements – that keep kids engaged. But if interest drops, it's okay to take a short break and come back.
How do I track my child's progress without sitting next to them?
Sorokid has a parent dashboard showing what your child practiced, accuracy rates, time spent, and progress over time. You can check it anytime from your phone.
Is this cheaper than Soroban classes?
Significantly. In-person Soroban classes typically cost $50-150/month. Apps like Sorokid cost a fraction of that, plus you save on transportation time and gas.
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