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dd1 has been struggling with school for too long now, and up to now I have felt that I was happy with who she is and would not put pressure on her to be any different but it comes to light that she is not happy being in " the lower set" she is really bright but something just doesnt click. Any advice info greatly appreciated.
don't know about this particular teaching service, but think there was something on radio recently about issues with unregulated 'tutor' services who actually had no teaching experience/qualifications, so make sure you ask lots of questions about exactly WHO will have access to your child, are they police checked etc etc...
its a japanese programme, quite well known, and it is less to do with one to one but more about doing a little bit of work every night, the tutor bit is optional, just wondered if anyone had experience of it. Its a feck load of money to pay out if it turns out to be crap.
the Japanese are very much into their rote learning and repetition - I think Kumon is pants and think you'd be better off with a tutor. It's a great deal of worksheets and very little teaching
I know loads of kids on this (surrey LOL) it really does work on both levels ,confidence(sp) and on the learning side . I know a lot of maths teachers think its good . I agree its alot of money . £40 a month . If I had the money I would put my child through it . They do an english one now but I think you have to start the child early as its pretty basic to begin with . Its 10 mins a day to start with and its every day 7 days a week . you can tell them you want to do every other day in holidays etc . Go for it for a month or so and see how it goes. Best of luck.
it really helps confidence . The child I look after has been doing it a couple of years now. and I do the Kumon mon to Fri . The change in her is amazing .
My DD did Kumon for several years as she never really 'got' maths.
She was tested first so started at the appropriate level. The work is daily worksheets which take about 10 mins each. It is very repetative, but is reviewed each week so it's possible to go through the levels fast or slowly as needed.
It is just arithmetic (adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing), so the only help it provides with the type of problems that are put into words and the child has to work out what to do is that s/he will be able to do the arithmetic easily once s/he's worked out what's needed.
It's very good for drumming number bonds and times tables into them. It worked wonders for DD who I'm sure wouldn't have done so well at GCSE without it.
I haven't taken DS, however, as it would just be a daily fight, and he can 'see' maths anyway. As a result, he's not nearly as quick as his sister at everyday mental maths.
One thing about Kumon is that they always do the operations the same way, so is useful for a child who is getting confused by being taught a variety of methods at school - s/he just sticks to what s/he knows. Some teachers like this, some don't.
My 2 do Kumon and I think it is real fab for different reasons for both od them.
We started it for the older one as he just does not have a numerate bone in his body! He was getting behind at school and because he was not getting badges for number bonds and tables like everyone else his confidence was really low and his personality is that if he can't see any benefit in it for him he just won't do it and will have an absolute mental breakdown while telling you that!! He started at a very low level but that means you get praise for whizzing through the levels quickly at first which is great for the confidence - you get stickers, certificates etc and you can "spend" your stickers on little bits and bobs. It is great for really drilling in number bonds, tables and practising techniques like division. It is really repetitive and I won't lie and say we haven't had tantrums etc about it but it is helping - just the fact that he has to do some number work every day keeps that part of the brain active.
My younger one started it because her big brother was, really, and whilst at that time we didn't think she had any real issues with Maths (and indeed she has gone through the levels at at faster rate that he has) it turns out she may have a slight processing problem and so it may turn out that Kumon has been really helpful without us knowing!
It is a big commitment for the parents as you have to make sure it is done, mark it and supervise corrections. You do have to go to the Centre every week to pick up new work and have a chat with the teacher about progress, what you found difficult etc. It truly is a part of our daily routine now, and need to be for the techniques to work.
If you can afford it I would give it a try if you are prepared to buy into the whole regime ie work every day (except Xmas!)and you think your child will be receptive to that.
