Mindstretcher - Discussion
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LuvMom:
i think it's dependent on the teacher, our involvement and how much our children apply what is being taught. my boy conscientiously uses what he has learnt for his school work and he tells me that it's about knowing that works and what doesn't with the teachers in his school. english is a very subjective subject and for me, ms works fine for my boy - for all three subjects. so, i guess i'm lucky in that sense.Hi,
My reply might come a little late. I have 2 children in MindStretcher EL programme. They had been there for more than a year. From my personal evaluation, the progress is rather slow. In fact, the weaker areas eg. comprehension and composition still remains. 1 of my daughters is in the high achiever EL class. I've yet to see results too.
I'm intending to switch enrichment centres for them. The only factor holding me back is the cheaper fees compared to other centres. So, if you can afford more, my personal advice is to try others. Mindstretcher is okay as a safety net, so that your kids won't fall far below average. But to see improvements for average kids, maybe it takes a while more.
Any other parents would like to comment?
as parents, we need to understand that we cannot send our kids for tuition and hope it magically turns our children smart. we need to gather their feedback and look through the materials ourselves if need be to see if it's working for them. only then can we decide if the arrangement is working for them. my wife and i both would spend time reading through the materials and finding out what is being taught and we also see what he is writing in school or how he is fairing in his school work. most of the time, we would do it during the weekends while the boy is busy with his games and we'd casually ask him what he has been learning. i'm glad to say that the model compositions, countless language exercises and comprehension drills have been working for him. once i see that he's actually using what he has learnt from ms on his school work and getting props from him school teacher for it, i know that he has done his part as a student to learn. money well spent.
if we base on results alone, we're not doing enough as parents to get to the root of the problem. if we don't do our part, no centre would work for them, no matter how expensive. just my two cents worth cos it's not being fair to the centre or our children if we keep switching them from one place to another just based on the results. it causes the kids to develop adjustment problems from the constant changes around him.
I'm sure LuvMum has her merits for deciding on switching to another centre but as a parent who has benefitted, i'm giving point of view so that others out there can have a balanced viewpoint.
btw LuvMum, if you don't mind me asking. which branch are your daughters at and what levels are they in? -
hi itskryptic
Like you, I’ve devoted much time to monitoring my children. Very rightly so, each child learns differently. I have more than 3 kids and I definitely understand this.
For better understanding of the situation, perhaps I’ll provide more info. I’ve been with my kids throughout their learning process and especially so for the enrichment programmes which we commit ourselves to. I believe a year’s monitoring is a reasonable amount of time for a fair assessment of the programme. I do not support changing centres unless it is deemed necessary. Fortunately, for my kids, I managed to enrol them for other programmes to try for a shorter period (ie a month) and results are remarkable.
As parents, it’s always a joy to see our kids love learning and not feel frustrated. I’m happy to see my kids grow in their love of learning in other centres. And especially so when I can see results.
Itskryptic, I’m glad MS works well for u. -
LuvMom:
Hi,hi itskryptic
Like you, I've devoted much time to monitoring my children. Very rightly so, each child learns differently. I have more than 3 kids and I definitely understand this.
For better understanding of the situation, perhaps I'll provide more info. I've been with my kids throughout their learning process and especially so for the enrichment programmes which we commit ourselves to. I believe a year's monitoring is a reasonable amount of time for a fair assessment of the programme. I do not support changing centres unless it is deemed necessary. Fortunately, for my kids, I managed to enrol them for other programmes to try for a shorter period (ie a month) and results are remarkable.
As parents, it's always a joy to see our kids love learning and not feel frustrated. I'm happy to see my kids grow in their love of learning in other centres. And especially so when I can see results.
Itskryptic, I'm glad MS works well for u.
Can I find out which centres did you send your children to? Much appreciate your help. -
hi LuvMom
how many kids do u have? are u a sahm?
do join my new club - Club for Moms with 3 kids or more
i have only tried Mindstretcher last year for a mth - my girl was p1, and i tried the eng enrichment class. i find its just doing assessment wksheets. nothing special. but the contents are gd if u r wkg n dont intend to teach urself but as i m a sahm my expectations are higher, hope the centre can teach sthg that i cant. so i didnt continue. any 1 mth is too short to comment also. just my own gut feel
but my girl went for Mindstretcher writer toolbox, just compo. the vocab learnt is good n bombastic. n the fees are reasonable. in fact value for money cos the class is 2hrs.
but i m also thinkg of switching, to find greener pasture
how do u decide which child get wat tuition, n how do u juggle the timing, location, sending n fetching etc? i m getting headache arranging the schedule next year. n i still hvnt finalised cos waiting for trial n assessment by the centres. my number 2 and 3 hve two classes each. #1 has 4 cos alrdy p3 nx yr. budget is an issue too. -
hi
I'm working part-time juggling with 4 kids (2yrs to 12 yrs). I understand how difficult it is to arrange the schedule and transport for each n everyone of them. But I'm thankful that the puzzle seems to fit when I prioritize my kids' needs.
Some enrichment centres I found to be good for my kids are: Morris Ellen, Lorna Whiston, The Learning Lab, Maths Olympiad Training Hub. I send them based on their present weakness and the potential I see in them. I used to believe that my kids can do without any extra help besides their schools. As the years go by, I realised this new generation is so different. My brighter child needs more challenges and extra stimuli, the less intellectual one needs more guidance, the average child needs more play n motivation. It's really difficult to have different teaching styles at home. If I sense a difference in their learning curve, based on their attitude, concentration, enthusiasm and results, I'll know that programme/ teacher is making a difference in my child's life.
When a child struggles and is willing to be helped. I see my role in their lives to be that support, to source around for the best possible help we can offer them.
Financially, the kids were guided to do their own budgeting. They are given a set of standards to achieve in schools. If they attain the target, they can plan their little excursions or outings. However, if the finances need to be directed to help in their academic developments, the 'play' budget has to be sacrificed. They will decide which 'playarea' to sacrifices. Trust me, this makes my role much easier, as I'm not the 'bad' person taking the benefit away from the kids. As such, they understand that extra lessons are only to help them and is dispensable. They all know Mommy loves to see them play!
Hope my sharing helps. -
so how do u proritise the kids need for tuition?
on average each child has how many classes? -
I think the priority is largely based on my hubby and my oberservations. I'll start from observing how they do their work at home and school. Eg. if she's poor in Maths. I will try to assess whether she has problems understanding the question, or problem finding the solution, or is it plain carelessness. If it is the first case, i'll improve her language skills first instead of working on her Maths. If it's methodology, she has to relearn her heuristics, either from me or from others. If it is carelessness, I wouldn't send her to enrichment centres, but will increase my alert in this area and train her to be more careful in her daily chores. Eg. like packing her bag, sweeping the floor. I believe it's an attitude that needs changing.
For my kids, roughly this is what they have per week....
Academic enrichment either none or one. If the child is weak, i'll choose the one she wants to see most improvement in. Can't afford to overdose 1 kid, else will have to undernourish another...
Music lesson is a must have for everyone though.
Outdoor play time (eg. cycling/inline skating) once/twice a week.
aiyo... Guess this forum made me seriously reflect and recount all events. didn't realise so much work has to be done by parents leh!
Kudos to all moms and dads! jia you. -
LuvMom:
Hi,I think the priority is largely based on my hubby and my oberservations. I'll start from observing how they do their work at home and school. Eg. if she's poor in Maths. I will try to assess whether she has problems understanding the question, or problem finding the solution, or is it plain carelessness. If it is the first case, i'll improve her language skills first instead of working on her Maths. If it's methodology, she has to relearn her heuristics, either from me or from others. If it is carelessness, I wouldn't send her to enrichment centres, but will increase my alert in this area and train her to be more careful in her daily chores. Eg. like packing her bag, sweeping the floor. I believe it's an attitude that needs changing.
For my kids, roughly this is what they have per week....
Academic enrichment either none or one. If the child is weak, i'll choose the one she wants to see most improvement in. Can't afford to overdose 1 kid, else will have to undernourish another...
Music lesson is a must have for everyone though.
Outdoor play time (eg. cycling/inline skating) once/twice a week.
aiyo... Guess this forum made me seriously reflect and recount all events. didn't realise so much work has to be done by parents leh!
Kudos to all moms and dads! jia you.
I am totally agreed with you. As a parent, we really need to work and see the child's weakness and strength before decided what enrichment classes are suitable for them.
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Any other feedback on Mindstretcher’s Writer Toolbox?
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the writer toolbox is gd in the sense of the child can learn a lot of gd vocab
the teacher will get them learnt creative phrases,
finish a compo in class wkly
next wk gv model compo to learn
then go home redo own compo (2nd draft) and copy model compo
two pcs of hmwk
but i m thinkg of trying tas based on the gd feedback in the forum
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