Zaruhi Paronyan - Abacus Kids Academy of Mental Arithmetic USA

Founded in Philadelphia, USA, in 2019, the Abacus Kids Academy of Mental Arithmetic is the brainchild of Zaruhi Paronyan. Born in Armenia and with a passion at an early age for languages, Zaruhi and the Academy introduce the learning method known as Mental Arithmetic, which helps develop the intellectual skills of young children.

About Zaruhi Paronyan

Zaruhi was born in Armenia, in the city of Yerevan, into a family of engineers. She credits her parents as her inspiration, and thanks them for instilling into her the importance of a strong education. From an early age Zaruhi was interested in languages, and she began to learn English and French at an early. She was an avid reader and read books whenever there was time.

When her father founded a company in the construction field while she was in her teens, Zaruhi's interest in the world of business and commerce was ignited. Indeed, whilst at university she began to help her father in the running of the business, and once graduating became his partner in a role involving expanding into new areas.

Zaruhi - also known as Zara - graduated as a Specialist of International Business in Commerce from the French University Jean Moulin Lion 3 and would later study English Language in more depth in London, UK.

Having attained the status of Professional Instructor in Mental Arithmetic, as awarded by the body that oversees the subject across the world, SAMA Global Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Association, Zaruhi is also the US Chairmen of SAMA Global.

Abacus Kids Academy of Mental Arithmetic - How it Works

Abacus Kids Academy of Mental Arithmetic, founded by Zaruhi in Philadelphia, uses a method of teaching that has its roots in Japan. Using an abacus - or Soroban - children between the ages of 5 to 15 are taught to train their brains to perform mental arithmetic at first with the abacus, and later without. The benefits of this are many.

Once the children have learned how the abacus works - and it can perform all the main tasks in basic arithmetic and beyond - they are encouraged to imagine the tool while performing the calculations in their mind.

Mastering this technique is at the core of the Mental Arithmetic teaching program. Once able, children will grow their analytical skills, improve concentration and listening skills, and gain a better understanding of logic and memory recall. They will develop visualization ability and be able to perform mathematical process fast and without the need for physical aids.

The method draws on both the hemispheres of the brain, awakening the power of development within, and is used widely across the world. In the USA, however, Zaruhi noticed a lack of Abacus Mental Arithmetic programs, hence the foundation of the Academy.

Abacus Kids Academy - The Future

Popular in Japan and in as many as 50 other countries, the Abacus and Mental Arithmetic program has been absent in the USA up to now. Thanks to the foresight and dedication of Zaruhi and the team at Abacus Kids Academy of Mental Arithmetic, children in the Philadelphia area now have access to this impressive learning program.

Zaruhi has plans to enhance the availability of the method by way of launching a franchise system across the USA, enabling children in other states to begin the Mental Arithmetic teaching program. To further this, she is also founding the Mental Arithmetic Association of the USA. This will provide training for persons wishing to become instructors, as well as other assets for franchises and students.

Other plans include the organization of competitions for kids to enter, a popular feature in other countries that Zaruhi intends to launch in the USA. For the third year in a row, the academy's students have participated in international online Olympiads, and some of them have already become world champions. In 2023, the academy plans to participate in the Olympiad, which will be held in Dubai.