My kids are enrolled under the Kumon Math program. They've been crunching numbers at the Kumon center for ten months now. I've been closely monitoring their grades and I'm happy that Kumon is helping them in their studies.
Math used to be a problem subject for them. Math, per se, couldn't be learned by simply memorizing the multiplication table and all the formulas in geometry. Practice is important. What I like about Kumon is that it aims not for a passing mark alone but perfection in various Math skills set.
Sometimes the kids would complain that the assignments are becoming repetitive and boring. Kids would procrastinate in doing their worksheets because of boredom and preference for play time. I've been juggling two time zones for close to three years now and situations like this don't help my hectic life. Good thing that the owner of the Kumon Center empathized with my schedule and offered assistance to get the boys going. It's difficult to lose their momentum at this time. They've already reached the global Math skill level for their age and not pushing them enough would cause delays in their progress.
Instead of the bi-weekly visits to the Kumon center the teacher suggested that the kids can come to the center on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for a 30-minute work. This is on top of their regular Friday and Saturday schedule. The teacher didn't charge me additional fees for the additional classes. She wants to help me and of course, the kids with their studies.
I even thought of ending the Kumon program this month. The boys have been spending more and more time playing and I'm on the brink of losing my patience on their behavior. Thing is, if I give up on them just like that, who will push them to succeed? No one. They may hate me now but I know that in time, they'll thank me for pushing them harder.
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6 comments:
Mari, my children attended Kumon for almost 3 years and it really helped. Sadly when my family moved abroad, and we later found out that Kumon did not have any branch there, the children's Kumon Math and Reading studies had to stop. To make it worse, we indeed moved back in the Philippines now but in a small rural area in Mindanao where the nearest Kumon center is 30 minutes drive out of town. Kumon centers are almost in every village in Manila, I just wish it is the same here...
nice home :)
Looks like Kumon works for your boys. I'm thinking of enrolling my daughter in kumon so she can improve her math skills and be more self sufficient :) Thanks for the positive feedback.
Alma,
According to the Kumon Center, we'll see results after 1-2 years. With my kids, there's been evident improvement after 6 months.
30 mins is not too far, I think. But the travel time might tire out your kids. I hope Kumon will put up a center in your area soon.
bwzone,
thanks!
My boys didn't need much tutoring from me especially with Math. Kumon is all about self-discovery and self-learning. I highly recommend it.
"They may hate me now but I know that in time, they'll thank me for pushing them harder." You are absolutely right!
My son hated Mandarin and piano classes when he was young. He would give all kinds of excuses not to attend classes or to practise. In the end we gave in and he was really happy that he did not have to attend those classes any more.
When he grew older, he realkised his handicap in not being able to speak Mandarin. He picked by playing the guitar and also faced a handicap in not understanding music.
And he asked my wife and I this haunting question, "Why didn't you force me to carry on those classes? Why did you let me stop?"
Gee...it hard being a parent these days!
bayi,
they(the kids) wouldn't realize it at their young age because all they want is more play time. sometimes the kids would play smart alecky with me thinking that maybe, just maybe, i'll make them quit kumon.
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