Mental Arithmetic — A Compass Guiding Toward the Future

Choosing the right path in life is essential. Some people lose their way, while others find the right direction early. This difference often lies not in knowledge, but in the ability to think. At this very point, mental arithmetic serves not merely as an academic subject, but as a guiding compass.

Mental arithmetic is the gym of the brain. Just as the human body becomes weak without exercise, the brain also slows down without training. Traditional mathematics usually focuses on the final result, whereas mental arithmetic emphasizes the process. A child thinks about how a problem is solved, visualizes it, and uses both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously. This provides a great advantage not only in mathematics, but also in reading, writing, and everyday life.

Mental arithmetic is not an internal calculator — it is internal confidence. Many parents choose mental arithmetic for the purpose of fast calculation. However, its greatest achievement is increasing a child’s self-confidence. In today’s fast-paced world, knowledge alone is not enough. A person must adapt quickly, make decisions swiftly, and think independently. This subject is like a solid foundation laid for a child’s future. A child who practices mental arithmetic today goes to the board without fear. They do not think about the wrong answer, but about possibilities.

I, Lazokat Pirmatova, entered this field in 2023 by studying at the “IqroKids” Educational Center, and in the same year, I began offering courses myself. I started with only four students, gradually teaching more children, and today I teach mental arithmetic to over 100 students. My students regularly participate in national competitions and proudly win first, second, and third places.

My goal is to raise a generation that thinks. This is not just about giving children knowledge, but about teaching them how to think. In today’s fast and complex world, success does not come from memorized formulas, but from the ability to make independent decisions. In 2024, five of my students earned the opportunity to participate in the Dubai International Olympiad.

I want to see a generation shaped by education that develops personality and character. I did not choose mental arithmetic by chance. I have seen fear of mathematics in the eyes of many children. This fear does not come from numbers, but from inner doubt — the belief of “I can’t do it.” My mission is to free them from that inner insecurity.

In conclusion, my aim is to light a spark in children’s lives through numbers. This light illuminates their path, strengthens their confidence, and encourages them to step boldly into the future. Because true education does not begin with transferring knowledge, but with helping a person believe in themselves. For me, mental arithmetic is not just a field of education — it is a future built on confidence.

Lazokat Ortigaliyevna Pirmatova is a fourth-year student in the Preschool Education program at the Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology of Kokand State University.