Kumon - Discussion
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hi deardear07,
if your child is mature enough >= 2.6 years old, child can sit down alone with Kumon teacher without crying if Mommy leave the child with the teacher to teach while go outside to wait, you can start your child for Kumon, if child is below 3 years old. You can bring down your child for a trial at the centre, to observe.
normally first 2 lessons, Mommy will sit down beside the child inside the classroom together. From lesson 3 onwards, Mommy will leave the child with the teacher, while go outside to sit down / wait. After a few more lessons, child tend to be independent, after getting used to teacher, familiar with teacher, not scared anymore. I saw some early 3+ kids carrying the small blue Kumon school bag sling across their shoulder, telling their mommies when they are dropped off by car right at the door step of Kumon, saying: Bye, Mom! I can go in by myself now. You no need to go in with me. You just come and fetch me when lessons end, ok?
for kumon English, no need for kids below 3 years old at this entry point to know how to write. Start off with lowest level 7A. At lowest level 7A and 6A, the centre will play the english CD for children to hear common nouns, vocabulary, verbs. The worksheets are A5 size (half of A4 size page), with colourful pictures with words one side, the other side of the page only pure words – to see if child can recognize word without the picture.
The only thing that kids need to do for level 7A and 6A is to hold the pencil and tick the box, after the child repeat what they’ve heard from the CD, page by page. Even if the child ticks the box very ugly, never mind, it’s ok. Let it be. It is just an expression of their creativity of ticking, at this age. Over time, they will improve.
level 5A english onwards is on Phonics, level 4A onwards must hold pencil, start to write properly. But if handwriting ugly, never mind. At that age, it’s ok.
I had seen cases of Hongkong kids who speak Cantonese 100% at home, who can’t speak English at all when they first started, or feel shy, lack confidence to open their mouth in English. But after sometime, the kids can rattle off English very fluently, no Singlish. Quite amazing!
for kumon Maths, lowest level is counting number dots and write down the number, beside the dots. So, maybe it’s better to train your child to practise writing 0 to 9 first at home, before start kumon Maths.
If your child is below 3 yrs old, you may try approach Novena Newton kumon branch, for a trial. I like the teachers there very much. They are all very patient, kind and loving towards kids. I observed that the kids going there are generally well behaved. -
also heard that kids who are trained in Kumon normally no need tuiton when go Primary school. Because Kumon method train kids from young to self study on their own, discipline … true ?
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for kumon Chinese, better start later around 4 years old, because need to practise writing chinese strokes.
so perhaps can start with English or Maths first, later then do Chinese. Even with one subject, the number of worksheets coming in everyday a lot already! -
you can obtain the detailed breakdown of kumon subject for english, maths, chinese at each level in detail what they teach, from any kumon centre.
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greenbean2011:
To me, Math and Science are creative subjects so worksheet based learning is inappropriate and boring. It leads children to develop phobia in Math/Science. I have frens whose childen hates math after all these worksheets drilling. Math and Science are very related to our practical life. In fact, we can teach children math and science anywhere...in the supermarkets/swimming pool/park - get your child to add/subtract/multiply/divide etc while you are doing your grocery shopping/eating/playing/ etc. Science is about discovery, exploratory and hands on.....while in the kitchen...etc.... This way, your child learns better as it is done in a fun and enjoyable way......hello Rabbit02,
but many Kumon parents testified that their kids' Maths improve a lot, after working on Maths worksheets for a period of time.
can share with us ... how you teach yr children Maths and Science like Art, the creative way instead of by worksheets ?
thank you very much for yr sharing.... appreciate very much,
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dont have. Kumon dont have chinese workbooks in open market. i asked before.
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My son is at Level G of Kumon… He needs time for Chinese, his weakest subject… and he needs to practise those WEIRD problem sums that make me go cock-eyed. I’m wondering if I should take him outta Kumon.
If he had time, I would do everything but he doesn’t so we need to focus. Can anyone advise whether Kumon is at all helpful in PSLE prep? Or is he better off doing problems that are more in line with PSLE paper? Please help. I am quite confused.
Thank you! -
I am not sure how \"in line\" Kumon is compared to the Spore syllabus. I am assuming it is not since Kumon has always pride themselvess on their special worksheets.
My kids did Kumon Chinese when we were living in Taiwan. That must be one of their most dreaded period of their lives! LOL (even tho we were there just once a week. there were kids who went daily). Till now, the kids still make jokes whenever they see any Kumon ctrs here. \"Come on, Kumon ...\" .
:lol:
The good thing that I learnt from Kumon was to use a timer for ds (to focus). I did the same for him when he was younger. With timer set for 15-20mins each time, he could finish his hw with less distraction.
I must say some of the Chinese comprehension were \"nice to read\" but it got harder and the repetition also became a turn-off after awhile. (I am not sure of it is done the same way too here... ie. need to repeat the same worksheets 2-3 times) We stopped eventually when elder dd got to E or F. Can't remember which level ds stopped at. No regrets.
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Chenonceau:
Chenonceau, what is your son learning in Kumon? Have you look at his worksheet and do you think it is useful comparing with what you see in Maths SA paper? I think you know the answer once you make the comparison.My son is at Level G of Kumon... He needs time for Chinese, his weakest subject... and he needs to practise those WEIRD problem sums that make me go cock-eyed. I'm wondering if I should take him outta Kumon.
If he had time, I would do everything but he doesn't so we need to focus. Can anyone advise whether Kumon is at all helpful in PSLE prep? Or is he better off doing problems that are more in line with PSLE paper? Please help. I am quite confused.
Thank you!
So far, from what I gathered (please tell me if I am wrong as I have only seen the Kumon worksheet for younger kids), Kumon is building foundation. Thereafter, not sure if kids really need to continue with this. I personally do not have experience with Kumon so not in the best position to advise. -
Pen88n:
He is doing Kumon math. His worksheets are very different from his SA Math Papers. I do agree that the lower levels give a strong foundation and help build speed and focus in mental concentration (for Math... dunno about Chinese and English) and I thought maybe by Level G, he has enough of a foundation. But I am unsure. Thanks for your thoughts. They do still help a little even though you say you did not have experience with Kumon.
Chenonceau, what is your son learning in Kumon? Have you look at his worksheet and do you think it is useful comparing with what you see in Maths SA paper? I think you know the answer once you make the comparison.Chenonceau:
My son is at Level G of Kumon... He needs time for Chinese, his weakest subject... and he needs to practise those WEIRD problem sums that make me go cock-eyed. I'm wondering if I should take him outta Kumon.
If he had time, I would do everything but he doesn't so we need to focus. Can anyone advise whether Kumon is at all helpful in PSLE prep? Or is he better off doing problems that are more in line with PSLE paper? Please help. I am quite confused.
Thank you!
So far, from what I gathered (please tell me if I am wrong as I have only seen the Kumon worksheet for younger kids), Kumon is building foundation. Thereafter, not sure if kids really need to continue with this. I personally do not have experience with Kumon so not in the best position to advise.
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