Can Enrichment Classes replace Kindergarten?

[phankao]

tamarind:

There was some discussion about Maths enrichment classes earlier in this thread.


I am teaching higher level Maths now (above O levels), and I find it amusing that parents spend so much effort trying to train their kids to + and - like a calculator before P1.

The fact is that +, -, x, / are only the very basic concepts and all kids will know these concepts sooner or later. Knowing how to add and subtract any number very quickly before P1 does not give you any advantage over other kids. And it definitely does not make a child any smarter.

From my experience, the most important mathematical concept that will benefit a child all the way to university, is algebra and equations. A student who knows algebra very well will find Calculus very easy. I see so many students struggling with Calculus because of they are poor in algebra. Whatever funny methods that enrichment classes teach are useless.

I myself cannot do mental calculations very quickly, but I find Calculus very easy because I have a strong foundation in algebra. I find it sad that very intelligent young kids are being drilled on basics like add and subtract for many hours a day, when in fact, they are perfectly capable of doing algebra, geometry, etc, which they will enjoy so much more. (Note that this only applies to very smart kids)

The ages between 3 and 6 years old, are the best time for learning languages, so parents should just focus on teaching kids to read very well before the age of 7. Research has found that after 7 years old, kids slowly lose the ability to learn languages easily. This is especially important when learning Chinese. Most parents made the mistake of focusing only on English, their kids will struggle with Chinese in upper primary. If parents use the correct methods, I believe that any child of average and above ability can be taught to read any English and Chinese books independently before P1. This will benefit the child for his entire life, much more than being able to + and - any numbers which can be done by calculators

So you're saying that we should be teaching our preschoolers algebra instead of + - x / ???

[tamarind]

mum05 and tweety17,

Besides attending enrichment classes, parents should take the time to practice with kids everyday. In fact, Berries has a notice telling parents that they must revise the lessons with the child everyday. So long as parents are able to do this, then attending kindergarten is not necessary.

[tamarind]

phankao:

tamarind:

There was some discussion about Maths enrichment classes earlier in this thread.


I am teaching higher level Maths now (above O levels), and I find it amusing that parents spend so much effort trying to train their kids to + and - like a calculator before P1.

The fact is that +, -, x, / are only the very basic concepts and all kids will know these concepts sooner or later. Knowing how to add and subtract any number very quickly before P1 does not give you any advantage over other kids. And it definitely does not make a child any smarter.

From my experience, the most important mathematical concept that will benefit a child all the way to university, is algebra and equations. A student who knows algebra very well will find Calculus very easy. I see so many students struggling with Calculus because of they are poor in algebra. Whatever funny methods that enrichment classes teach are useless.

I myself cannot do mental calculations very quickly, but I find Calculus very easy because I have a strong foundation in algebra. I find it sad that very intelligent young kids are being drilled on basics like add and subtract for many hours a day, when in fact, they are perfectly capable of doing algebra, geometry, etc, which they will enjoy so much more. (Note that this only applies to very smart kids)

The ages between 3 and 6 years old, are the best time for learning languages, so parents should just focus on teaching kids to read very well before the age of 7. Research has found that after 7 years old, kids slowly lose the ability to learn languages easily. This is especially important when learning Chinese. Most parents made the mistake of focusing only on English, their kids will struggle with Chinese in upper primary. If parents use the correct methods, I believe that any child of average and above ability can be taught to read any English and Chinese books independently before P1. This will benefit the child for his entire life, much more than being able to + and - any numbers which can be done by calculators

So you're saying that we should be teaching our preschoolers algebra instead of + - x / ???

See what is highlighted above : Note that this only applies to very smart kids.

For average kids, parents should just let them learn on their own pace. And this means + and - up to 10 at 5 years old, and probably up to 20 at 6 years old

[phankao]

tamarind:

For average kids, parents should just let them learn on their own pace. And this means + and - up to 10 at 5 years old, and probably up to 20 at 6 years old

wah, how to differentiate?

[tamarind]

phankao:

tamarind:

For average kids, parents should just let them learn on their own pace. And this means + and - up to 10 at 5 years old, and probably up to 20 at 6 years old

wah, how to differentiate?

You mean how to differentiate average and very bright kids ?

[phankao]

tamarind:

phankao:

[quote=\"tamarind\"]

For average kids, parents should just let them learn on their own pace. And this means + and - up to 10 at 5 years old, and probably up to 20 at 6 years old

wah, how to differentiate?

You mean how to differentiate average and very bright kids ?[/quote]Yup - I'm NOT talking about THAT Math topic! haha!

If the child can count beyond 20, then .... how to teach algebra?

[hquek]

my 2cents worth


From young, my main focus was on languages for DS1. I tried to coach him in maths (+ and - ), the effort was too strenous and meant too much screaming from me. So the end result is that I just let him be and get basic maths knowledge from his kindy.

To my surprise, he is able to do maths assessment books fairly easily - I barely have to tell him what to do. I attribute this to his grasp of english in that he’s able to make sense of what’s required and translate into the answers sought for.

His calculation speed was abysmal, but is slowly improving with practice - I don’t give him grief over it. whatever works for him, so be it.

So in all, I do agree with tamarind in that from young age my main (and probably only) focus will be on languages and ensuring my kids are comfy in that. 1+1 will always stay the same, but the trick is knowing what operations are required for that specific question and therefore language skill is still key.

[mum05]

pummanuel:

Hi Mum'05, there is no need to respond to every post. Like mine, it wasn't really related to your question but sort of just chit chat as KSP is like Facebook to me. :oops:

ya, i dont think i need to. 'cos like i've said, what i wanted to say are alr said. anyway, i dun mean responding literally to everyone. guess somehow words r being interpreted in many ways, I can totally see that not all are targeted or in response to what I posted 'cos some are not even related to my original topic. so no worry on this area ya.

[tamarind]

phankao:

tamarind:

[quote=\"phankao\"]
wah, how to differentiate?

You mean how to differentiate average and very bright kids ?

Yup - I'm NOT talking about THAT Math topic! haha!

If the child can count beyond 20, then .... how to teach algebra?[/quote]Not that kind of children. A very smart child can add and subtract any number without the need to be taught Mommy knows best.

The very first line used to teach algebra is \"Any letter can be used to represent any number\". Say this to a child. If she understands immediately, then she is ready to learn algebra.

[tamarind]

mum05:

pummanuel:

Hi Mum'05, there is no need to respond to every post. Like mine, it wasn't really related to your question but sort of just chit chat as KSP is like Facebook to me. :oops:

ya, i dont think i need to. 'cos like i've said, what i wanted to say are alr said. anyway, i dun mean responding literally to everyone. guess somehow words r being interpreted in many ways, I can totally see that not all are targeted or in response to what I posted 'cos some are not even related to my original topic. so no worry on this area ya.

mum05,
You have opened up an interesting topic, so other parents are keen to discuss their views which may be going off track at times. But it is still an interesting thread for discussion