Kumon in North London-do I have to go with dd age 5?

[majorstress]

Anyone into this at the moment? How long does she have to go, is it for the whole session? I can't get there at 3:30, I am collecting her from school then (isn't everyone? Why do most of them seem to start at 3:30?) I need to be able to leave her at the centre as I have disruptive 3 year old too. I or DH are happy to oversee the homework (it's his idea).

[RainbowWalker]

Have you thought about using an online Maths tutor, there's no stressful driving around London, "dropping off and waiting" and you get to keep an eye on their progress from the comfort of your own home. The one I know of you canpay a monthly subscription and the child can use it at home every day (works out less costly than a Kumon tutor as well I believe) - email me for details [email protected]

[majorstress]

Thanks-I will think about that but we are interested in trying the Kumon system out of interest in it itself, she doesn't especially need maths tuition, but enjoys that sort of activity above all else. It is true about the dropping off stuff, but I really like the idea of getting rid of her for a while some evenings, and I am going to carefully research the locations with convenient dropping-off in mind too. She is very able the school tells me, but at home all of our toys games books sit totally untouched unless I do every step along with her, and if her sister dares to try to join in we get a tantrum. On the PC she would sit there by herself for about 5 seconds at a stretch, calling out to me constantly, and fighting with sister for attention, as long as I am in the same postcode. That's why most of our PC games sit unused-I don't have time to hold her hand throughout, and with the constant "Mum!", little sister soon twigs and barges in spoiling everything. Sending her off to a couple of after-school lessons is proving much more happy for all concerned, and gives younger one some "mum" time.

[Enid]

can't you find something more active for her to do? or musical?

like swimming lessons or ballet?

[Enid]

of course she needs you to use the PC with her

she's 5

[Aloha]

Five seems really young to me tbh. Esp after a full day at school.

[majorstress]

Thanks Enid, she does lots of active things at school lunchtime clubs, plus just started Ballet after school and loves it and has asked to go to other classes instead of coming home every day after school, because she wishes that "we didn't have her sister"!. I just want to know how long a typical Kumon session is, so I can figure out if she can try it, logistically.

[majorstress]

Thanks all but I think there are enough threads about whether to do Kumon or not. I want to know some details from people who know about it, not another debate.

I'm just off to do the ELC advanced astrophysics flashcards with my 3 year old, see y'all later!

[Enid]

think you need to address the issues between her and her dsis tbh rather than packing her off every evening...

[3mum]

IME Kumon isn't really a drop off thing. Different teachers may run their classes in different ways but at the one my son goes to he is usually only in there for 15-20 minutes so we tend to hang around in the next door room. I have a toddler too but usually take a book and a couple of toys which keep them occupied.

[majorstress]

Thanks 3mum, that's exactly what I wanted to know. So for us it would probably be better to do a Saturday class as DH can take her.

I guess I need to look at sibling rivalry threads for addressing their issues. It's good to know that everyone else's 5 year old likes nothing more than to come home daily after a full day at school, to fight with their screaming little sister, instead of doing an age-appropriate activity, chosen by themselves, once or twice a week with an adult who is able to hear what they are saying, and is not simultaneously trying to make a meal and speak to DH on the phone about why the £$** is he late this time.

[frogs]

Kumon is a drop-in activity, and as 3m says, the child is usually only there for about 20 minutes -- long enough to hand in their week's homework, do their question paper (c. 10 mins), do a number board while waiting for question paper to be marked, pick up marked work and collect reward stickers and following week's work.

The sessions usually run from 3.30 until 5.30 or so, so you can time it to suit you. You can drop off, but the time is so short you're not going to achieve much -- I drop ds off at Kumon, take dd1 to flute lesson round corner, pick up ds from kumon and double back for dd1.

I know lots of people disapprove of Kumon, but it has been very good for ds who has managed to keep up a just-reasonable showing in school maths without really understanding how numbers work. The endless repetitive Kumon practice has been v. good for him. They're very good at incentives, but it is quite boring and not sure it's suitable for an extra-bright child, despite what the Kumon people will tell you. It is however v. good for getting children used to working by themselves and taking responsiblity for their own work.

hth

[frogs]

Which centre are you thinking of going to?

[frogs]

Which centre are you thinking of going to?

[majorstress]

Thanks frogs, we're thinking Mill Hill, Colindale, Golders Green, one of the ones in Finchley or Barnet I guess. Even Hampstead.Maths only. Do you know about any of those?

She's not extra bright, but is labelled able, and this is the sort of thing she really thrives on. She's just not very good at taking responsibility for starting or finishing things. Occasionally she has got a bit bored with ie the endless Jolly Phonics (after over a year of it), and right now having to re-read the same book each night chosen by teacher-so it might not suit, but if she gets bored then we would quit right away. I'd like to not be the one she has to account to for once.

[frogs]

You must be slightly further out than us, majorstress. We use the Stoke Newington one -- maths only, like you're suggesting. It is a great relief not to be the one who sets the work, marks it and bullies the child into it. The system they have of a target time for each paper is v. good for discouraging faffers, and they're very good on carrots in the form of stickers, rewards and awards.

Hope it works out for you.

[majorstress]

cool, thanks for your support frogs and I'm glad you found something that suits your son.