Kumon - for reception age???!!!

[purpleturtle]

Dd started in reception not quite 3 weeks ago. AFAIK she hasn't even demonstrated to her teacher that she is already reading. Fair enough - it's going to take some time to get round 30 kids.

But - in her reading folder this afternoon is an advert for the local Kumon set-up. I'm sure all the children have one, and I have noticed in myself a very strong reaction against it. These children aren't even 5 - is it right to be recommending extra tuition before they've even adjusted to full-time school?

I'm considering talking to school about it. I've decided that I might excuse it if a substantial donation was made to the school by Kumon for the privelege of the advertising space.

What do you think?

[purpleturtle]

Just me then?

[MaryP0p1]

What is Kumon?

[purpleturtle]

"Kumon helps children master the fundamentals of maths and English whilst building strong learning skills, boosting their confidence and helping them to realise their true potential"

or, if you prefer, "Kumon hothouses children"

for a measly £15 registration fee, and £45 per month per subject thereafter.

[MaryP0p1]

Sounds a bit pressured to me.

Though saying that we moved country partly because I felt the English education system is too pressure too early.

[PeachyClair]

I considered it for DS last year (reception) but at the time he was in a poor school where they didn't even allow the kids to read, said they were too young. In retrospect I wish I had gone for it, as since we moved here he has been at a disadvantage even before his AS.

In normal circumstances though, no I wouldn't do it.

[paolosgirl]

I started DD at Kumon after we had appalling reports home from her P1 teachers about her lack of ability to concentrate which would ultimately lead to her falling behind.

Cue panicky parents who enrolled her at Kumon, only to be at the amount of homework. We lasted a fortnight, I think, and then we decided to stuff her (crap) teacher, and chill. I think it really is hothousing at it's worst, and not necessary at this young age. Maybe later if they are REALLy struggling with something...

[paolosgirl]

Oh, and since she left her P1 teacher and gone into P2 she's a different girl - doing very well. I think the lack of concentration was a maturity thing.

[purpleturtle]

Well, yes.

I think dd's school has a reputation for being academic, but I actually object to the school sending out this flyer. That has to be, at the very least, a tacit approval of extra tuition for really small children, doesn't it?

If they'd targetted children who could do with extra help, that would be one thing - but even then, I think the school should be making an effort rather than suggesting parents pay hand over fist.

[LIZS]

Personally I'd say it was inappropriate to market it so directly at such young children. An activity (sporty or arty for example) which supplements the curriculum may be more acceptable. Would find posters on a noticeboard much less invasive but they should still make a donation as a small business ad, unless it is parent run ? Apart from moral issues, it suggests the school is not aiming its teaching at the more able and underpotentialised pupils.

[Hallgerda]

I would agree it's a bit off of the school to hand out letters like this, but I suspect they all do it. Kumon may be paying, or perhaps one of your fellow parents works for them. We get flyers about various drama clubs. I'd just put the advert in the recycling and save my fire for an occasion that really demanded it. That said, I was quite annoyed when the school sent out a flyer from some private tuition organisation and demanded that we return a slip to say we'd read it. I later learned (through a Mumsnet thread) that the tuition organisation was paying the school for each slip sent back. If they do that one again I'll scream!

[Hallgerda]

LIZS, I don't think the fact a parent is involved in an after-school activity like Kumon should entitle them to free advertising at their children's school.

I would not have thought the distribution of the leaflet was necessarily a sign of endorsement from the school, or that it said anything significant about the school's attitude to brighter, or struggling, pupils. But schools should think before they distribute such material as it is likely to be taken that way.

[Hulababy]

Schhol is (IIRR) known for being academic, and has fab reputation locally. I suspect that other schools in the area will have these flyers too though. Advertising like this is, sadly, becoming more and more common. At secondary where I taught we had this kind of thing (and worse!) and i hated having to issue it. With the older children I didn't actaully force them too - I explain what it was and gave them the choice. I really don't think it is on by any of these companies to be doing it at all. They should stick to other forms of advertising!

[Hulababy]

purpleturtle - I would mention your concern to the school though. Just say that you'd rather not recieve materials like this/free advertising via your child. Schools only know if parents don't like something they do if parents tell them.

[tamum]

We had this ages ago too. I am absolutely certain Kumon made a donation to school, so actually I was happy just to bin it.

[roisin]

Hmm... Some people really like Kumon, and it can be popular with children who are very able in Maths (and not being challenged at school), as well as those who are struggling. I've no personal experience of it though.

My children were certainly exhausted at this age, and there is no way I would want them to do such a thing. But that's not the same for everyone.

Yesterday we had a letter from the Head advertising to us a beginners' Italian course starting next week. I was delighted to learn of this, and all 4 of us have signed up to learn together. We have to pay, but it's very reasonable (£12 each for 8 lessons 1 hr). I don't expect she will have made a donation to school; but I'm quite happy with that.

[purpleturtle]

Beginner's Italian is something completely different though - it's not like you're being asked to pay for something the school should be offering anyway. I'd be delighted if something like that came home - although I don't think I'd be signing my not-yet-5 year old up for anything too soon!

[PeachyClair]

Beginners languages are great- it's supposed to help their development in all languages isn't it, if they ahve a second at an early age? That's why I am pleased ds's are doing welsh, even if we will probably go back to Somerset one day. Maybe.

[Rianna]

My children ahve done Kumon for more or less two terms, as they needed to 'go back to the basics'.
It has improved basic skills, concentration, speed.
They did it 10 minutes a day.My 4 year ols joined as well.The problem was, it was so much repetition, often very boring .
But now he misses it!The other two HATED it and my husband was on their side, so we've left it.
My reception-class son does enough traditional maths at school.
So my question is : if the school apparently approves of the Kumon method, why don't tehy give teh chidlren 10 minutes of traditional maths DURING SCHOOL TIME?
That would make Kumon superfluous (?) and would make sense .Giving flyers for Kumon is liek admitting you do something wrong.
Personally, I like some tradtional Kumon-style maths exercise alongside more creative ways of problem solving.
At school they do too much of the 'creative' maths, Kumon is too repetitive and boring.

[ladymuck]

Just bin it if you don't like it. Some parents do like it, some don't. Getting the school to police all advertising would be a waste of their time. They should be entitled to treat grown-ups like grown-ups, not mindless morons who will automatically sign up to everything that comes from the school.