It is possible for children to confuse school math and abacus math, if they have not been exposed to abacus math before. While school math is typically solved on paper with pencil, abacus math involves using a physical abacus to perform computations. One significant difference between the two methods is their calculation methodology. School math starts from the right to the left, moving from ones, hundreds, thousands, and so on. Conversely, abacus calculation starts from left to right, beginning with highest digit available, for e.g. millions, hundred thousands, thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones. Although adults may find it challenging to distinguish between the two methods, young minds are incredibly adaptable and can learn new concepts quickly. Therefore, what seems challenging to us is often easier for children aged 4 to 13 years. While both methods use mental calculations, such as using calculations and strategies to solve problems quickly mentally. But they also have some key differences, such as the way in which numbers are represented and the use of different tools. If your child is struggling with math and you think they may be mixing up school math and abacus math, it may be helpful to work with them to clarify any misunderstandings and provide additional support and practice to reinforce their understanding of each method.