Be Math Smart with ALOHA

Do you like Math? 

Mathematics helps children make sense of their world outside of school and more so builds them up for a good foundation for success in school.  In grade school, children need mathematical understanding and skills not only in math subjects but also in science, social studies, and other subjects. In high school, students need mathematical proficiency to succeed in course work that provides a gateway to technological literacy and higher education . Once out of school, all adults need a broad range of basic mathematical understanding to make informed decisions in their jobs, households, communities, and civic lives.

I never really comprehended this, not until I became a mother myself and had been sending out my first two children to school.  You see, not many may not know this, I took BSE Mathematics with Specializations in Computer Studies.  It's a double degree, double major course offered in DLSU under the College of Education.  I'm sure you'd think I'm a Math geek or I must have some love affair with that subject, well, neither.   I'm not bad at it, however, I can tell that I'm also not too good at it.  I guess at a certain point in my schooling I found it challenging and had put more effort in learning the skills.

Come college, I initially dropped at BSE Literature, the subject I really adore, but knowing that the most in demand job back then was in computer or whatever Math-related and they pay more.  So, I transferred.  But what made me shift to Math even if I knew it might be that hard is having an engineer as a boyfriend...Hahaha... 

Anyways, up until now, I believe that one is better off knowing, rather excelling in Math can be more successful in life.  That's why when a friend invited me to a demo meeting with the people behind Aloha Mental Arithmetic PH, I didn't hesitate to come. 

What is ALOHA?

ALOHA is an abbreviation for Abacus Learning of Higher Arithmetic.  I's a tutorial program (perhaps and extra-curricular) for brain development designed for children ages 4 to 13.  

It was founded by a Malaysian, Mr. Loh Mun Sung in 1993.  He adapted and developed the concept  based on the Abacus Computational methods from China and Taiwan.  Now ALOHA is all over the world.

"Aloha is not only a Math thing," according to Ms. Crystel, the Master Trainor.  It offers a comprehensive curriculum that strengthens the mental arithmetic skills and overall brain development of a child that absorbs the program.   With continued training on a per level basis (according to age and how they started with the program), kids don't need to rely on calculators, computers or other gadgets to calculate swiftly and accurately.  ALOHA makes use of specific teaching methods to help children improve their ability to solve math problems using their mental abilities, even though the problem is quite complex.

Teaching methods can be in form of games, puzzles, and social engagement and goes beyond math skills as it targets a child's IQ and EQ.  It encompasses assisting children get their school habits fine tuned so that they can do their homework more efficiently, develop exceptional mental calculation skills, improve problem solving abilities, enhance their capacity to remember information and visualize conceptual maps in their minds.  By engaging in ALOHA, children can strengthen their cognitive abilities and buikd confidence in their math, hence preventing Math Anxiety.  Cause yes, there is such a thing already!

Integrating Two Brain Hemispheres:  Yes with ALOHA

What I like about this program is that their students can stimulate both brain hemispheres simultaneously, therefore, making the best out of their intellectual capacities and they too can experience a comprehensive improvement across all subjects, especially in Math subjects.

Are you aware of the LEFT and RIGHT hemisphere of the Brain?

Studies proves that the human brain is divided into two hemispheres: right and left. Each of these halves controls one side of the body and has specific functions.  This doesn't actually mean that a person only uses one side of the brain, it indicts that a person, say a right-brained one, uses the right hemisphere of the brain to a greater degree than the left. Hemispheric dominance is what it is called.

To break down, here are the functions of the brain hemispheres:

LEFT HEMISPHERE:

image from AlohaPhilippines.com

RIGHT HEMISPHERE:

image from AlohaPhilippines.com

Which one do you think you are?  How about your kids?

They say that if you're good in Math, you probably are a left-brained person, and if you're an artist, you are a right-brained person.  But learning with ALOHA, you can both use the hemispheres of your brain to full potential and gain confidence in Math even if you think you can't.

Children can start as early even before or while in Pre-school (4 years old).  The whole program comprises eight levels and can accommodate students up to 8 to 13 years old.

ALOHA creates champions! 

Ivy Sato, chief executive officer of ALOHA Mental Arithmetic Philippines, together with Mr. Sung saw the need for Filipinos to develop in Math, and with much ardor the system have forged and produced students that are proficient enough to join a global competition.  

With a Philippine team, they joined the ALOHA Mental Arithmetic International Competition Malaysia 2023.  Ms. Sato said "The recent competition shows that young Filipinos can unlock their full potential and make a significant impact in the global arena as long as they are given adequate support back home."

And what do you know!  Four of their students bagged home trophies and championships.  Rheana Yasmin Campos, 10 years old and Darylyn Faith Fabilane, 11, emerged grand champions!

Connor Yao, 7 years old, came out as a Champion as well and loved using his fingers in solving the Math problems.  Another student, Ryan Warren Merdegia, who is 9 got the 2nd runner up title.

During the event, we were given a chance to see Connor and Rheana solve short arithmetic to long sequenced arithmetic using an abacus and "mental Math."  Everyone who was watching were in awe, and so was I and would love to have my daughter Danaera be in their program. 

Below is their contact details:

Telephone:  +632-8296-8357

Mobile: +63927-0646-996

Email: inquiries@alohaphilippines.com

Address: 

2/F Washington Gateway

67 Washington St. Xavier Greenhills 

San Juan City 1500 Manila, Philippines