A prodigy lives within every child. If a student gets distracted during lessons and cannot sit still, it simply means the teacher has not managed to capture their interest. This belief is firmly held by Natella Horodetska, recipient of Ukraine’s national award “Leaders of the XXI Century” and a leading expert and trainer in mental arithmetic.
For nearly 20 years, she has been studying and applying progressive methods of teaching children. It all began in Ukraine in the early 2000s, when Natella received her first degree in pedagogy. Over the years, she earned three more higher education degrees and studied programs not offered at Ukrainian universities: Mental Arithmetic, Speed Reading, and Mega Memory. These disciplines helped her develop her own unique approach to unlocking the intellectual potential of children.
Mental Arithmetic: More Than Just Numbers
It is a mistake to think mental arithmetic is only useful for solving school math problems. While its foundation lies in teaching children to calculate large numbers in their heads—adding, multiplying, and dividing without a calculator—the exercises actually strengthen the entire brain. Research shows that both hemispheres are activated, including the one responsible for creativity and imagination.
As a result, math suddenly becomes exciting for children, and both students and teachers feel inspired by the progress. In Ukraine, Natella trained more than 10 champions of national and international Olympiads. Yet, she considers even more significant the incredible results demonstrated by children with developmental differences.
“This is a powerful tool to unlock a child’s intellectual potential. I am especially inspired by how well this method works for children with special educational needs, such as autism and ADHD. Their motivation increases. Thanks to the game-like elements and visible results, children become more eager to learn. For me, it is important to help children step confidently into the future, developing not only knowledge but also the ability to overcome life’s challenges,” says Natella Horodetska.
Scientific Contributions and International Recognition
Her achievements are documented in numerous scientific publications. In February 2025, her article “Mental Arithmetic and Neuroplasticity: How Abacus Exercises Influence Brain Development” was published in the journal Current Issues in Modern Science, making a significant contribution to the scientific understanding of neuroplasticity. A month later, she published “The Influence of Mental Arithmetic on the Development of Fine Motor Skills in Preschool Children” in the journal Society and National Interests. Both articles have been cited in academic circles, confirming Natella’s recognition as a contributor to science and pedagogy.
She has also analyzed the application of mental arithmetic with children with autism, ADHD, and developmental delays, publishing studies on its impact on intelligence and creativity. As a leading expert in cognitive development, she regularly participates in international conferences. At the VIII International Conference in Boston in March 2025, she presented her groundbreaking report “Mental Arithmetic as a Tool for Strengthening Cognitive Functions in Children with Autism,” where she discussed her discoveries, improvements to her method, and approaches for working with children on the spectrum.
Bridging Methods in the U.S.
For many parents, Natella’s methodology provides long-awaited solutions to challenges in their children’s learning and development. For others, it helps reveal hidden talents.
After moving to the U.S., she successfully adapted her unique teaching methods within the Montessori system. Although the foundations differ, both approaches share a key goal: brain development. In both systems, it is crucial that a child finds joy in learning and works at a comfortable pace.
In early 2025, Natella founded Neuro Mental Math LLC in Minnesota and became a member of WAMAS – World Association of Mental Arithmetic Schools, as well as NAEYC — the leading association for early childhood education professionals in the United States, highlighting her international recognition in the field.
“My center focuses on implementing innovative programs, including an online simulator for mental arithmetic and teaching guidelines for children with developmental differences,” she explains.
Unlocking the Brain Through the Abacus
Teaching mental arithmetic to children with special needs is a complex process requiring careful, flexible, and adaptive methods tailored to each child. Many of these children face difficulties mastering traditional learning approaches, especially in mathematics. With the right methods, however, they can significantly improve their cognitive abilities, attention, memory, fine motor skills, motivation, and self-confidence.
Mental arithmetic reveals the mind’s potential through solving calculations mentally while visualizing the abacus. At the initial stages, children use a physical abacus, where each movement of the beads becomes not only a mathematical exercise but also a stimulus for developing fine motor skills. This motor activity strengthens neural connections, enhancing cognitive function and the brain’s receptivity to information.
At advanced levels, the abacus becomes a tool of imagination: children learn to visualize it mentally, developing visualization, spatial thinking, and the ability to solve complex tasks quickly. This process engages both hemispheres of the brain—the left for logic and analysis, and the right for creativity and imagination. Such synergy fosters intellectual flexibility, creativity, and mental agility.
“Regular practice in mental arithmetic not only develops mathematical skills but also strengthens memory, concentration, fine motor skills, data processing speed, and creativity. It builds a strong foundation for personal and intellectual growth, helping children unlock their abilities and confidently tackle life’s toughest challenges,” says Natella.
A Method for the Future
In today’s world, where cognitive skills are in high demand and parents seek comprehensive development for their children, mental arithmetic is gaining particular popularity. Parents value methods that improve their children’s focus, memory, and creative thinking.
Importantly, Natella’s expertise is accessible beyond her U.S. students. She has developed an innovative online simulator for mental arithmetic, and her unique teaching materials for children with special needs have been recognized as a national educational treasure of Ukraine—the very achievement that earned her the title of Leader of the XXI Century.
In 2025, Natella Horodetska earned international recognition at the PAMA Global Abacus and Mental Arithmetic 2025 International Online Competition, where she became the 1st Runner-Up (2nd place worldwide) in the Teacher’s A Group category. This remarkable achievement highlights her exceptional expertise in the field and the global impact of her teaching methodology.
Natella Horodetska — Winner of the International Online Mental Arithmetic Olympiad “VF CUP 2025” (2nd place worldwide) and 1st Runner-Up at the PAMA Global Abacus and Mental Arithmetic 2025 International Online Competition (Teacher’s A Group).
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