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Original poster

KUMON

53 replies

Hopeoverexperience · 09/03/2008 11:41

Does anyone have any experience ,knowledge or opinions on Kumon maths? I am considering it as an option for my slightly struggling & unconfident DD aged 6. Thanks!

OP posts:
BecauseImWorthIt · 09/03/2008 17:08

We did it briefly for both dss, but they were older - I think it is probably much better for younger ones, so you're probably at a good age.

It is a big commitment and you have to be prepared to be heavily involved as well. They have a worksheet that has to be done every day - including holidays and Christmas day. It should only take 10 minutes, but then you have to mark it as well. For us it became a daily torture to do this!

They will assess your DD's current level and then will give her worksheets that are deliberately below her level. The idea of this is that she will find them easy to do, rather than strugging, and they will only move her on when she can cope with it.

It will be very basic arithmatic, and is highly repetitive - the aim, as I understand it, is to help them learn their numbers/tables by this kind of repetition, so that basic sums just come to them instantly.

They use lots of stickers/rewards to encourage development.

I think, on the whole, it is a good idea - and if you start now there is a chance that your DD will find it fun - not a real chore like my sons did!

Reallytired · 09/03/2008 17:13

My son's best friend did Kumon and found it a total nightmare. Its really expensive cost £45 a month. There worksheets that are free on the internet and the national curriculum requires understanding rather than memory.

tortoiseSHELL · 09/03/2008 17:15

I've heard mixed things - the maths one is very repetitive and learning by rote rather than 'problem solving', so doesn't teach 'concepts' as such - more the number bonds/times table type things.

The English one I've heard is very out of date and doesn't really complement the way English is taught in primary schools, but don't know any details.

BecauseImWorthIt · 09/03/2008 17:15

Arithmetic!

Agree, RT, that the NC requires understanding, but the repetitiveness of Kumon does encourage basic memory of times tables which is very helpful.

HOE - have you had a chat with DD's maths teacher to see if there are any strategies the school can employ? Kumon is expensive, as well as a real commitment, and there could be something that the school could be doing to help her. She is still little!

rosmerta · 09/03/2008 17:58

My nephew (11 yr old) does Kumon Maths and his teacher at school has said that he now has the maths ability of a 16 yr old. He started when he was about 9 or 10 though, not quite so young.

Apparently, girls are better if they start earlier than boys but that's just something I heard, not fact or anything.

hth

LynetteScavo · 09/03/2008 18:06

We tried Kumon, and for us it was a waste of time. The work sheets DS was given were stupidly easy for him, and it all seemed to be about speed. We had very little input from the tutor. Basically we did the work at home each week, went along once a week and did a work sheet which was marked by students,given a sticker and more work for the next week.

What we did find excellent though was signing up to math Whizz, an internet site which is able to grade your child, and give them fun, really fun tasks to do. It also allows parents to see how much work their children have done on line, and how much they have improved. The more work a child does, tehe more points they can collect to puchase items for their virtual bedroom.

Reallytired · 09/03/2008 18:48

www.ictgames.com

Its free and good fun

If you really want lots of dull work sheets try this website

www.happychild.org.uk/wks/math/key1/add/index.htm

Original poster
Hopeoverexperience · 09/03/2008 20:02

Thank-you very much for all your replies. I really am very grateful for your input.She is already signed up to Maths Whizz (through school) however she won't do it by herself - lack of confidence & she tends to panic & get quite upset. Was thinking slightly "easy" repetative worksheets with stickers ,rewards & praise might lift her confidence especially with someone else ie the Kumon tutor to encourage her - instead of just me!!

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 10/03/2008 08:11

My dd did kumono from year 1 to year 3 and now has stopped for some 6 months. I notice though that she still adds up without using her fingers, all numbers between 1-9 and subtracts under 20 without much thought.Multiplies well and has a confidence of maths.

I wanted her to have good basic maths skills and didn't feel that the school she attended (her older sister had also attended) would do this.

So I am happy now that I spent the time and money on this extra as she has good basic maths skills. Her sister is impressed and at 6 years older cant keep up with adding and subtraction at the same rate.

Shame I didn't know about this for her ds

lisalisa · 10/03/2008 08:27

Message withdrawn

McDreamy · 10/03/2008 08:29

How much work is it every night?

lisalisa · 10/03/2008 08:37

Message withdrawn

McDreamy · 10/03/2008 08:38

I've just been on the web site and it looks good. If you don't mind me asking how much do you pay?

jicky · 10/03/2008 08:38

Has she got a nintendo ds ? The maths training game for that is just basic repetitive sums, moving up levels as you practise.

lisalisa · 10/03/2008 09:09

Message withdrawn

dylsmum1998 · 10/03/2008 09:33

i like the ict website- does anyone know of one for the juniors?
thanks

WriggleJiggle · 10/03/2008 11:39

www.primarygames.com is a great site for junior maths stuff.

Original poster
Hopeoverexperience · 10/03/2008 13:38

Have just booked DD in for her initial assesment next Tuesday,18th March .Hopefully it will be OK . I really hope it can improve her confidence . Thanks again everyone - your post Lisa is particularly encouraging.

OP posts:
Stopfighting · 10/03/2008 14:37

I think it is a waste of time.

Have a look at Maths Whizz. Great site. It costs £27.50 per month and I feel it is well worth it.

lisalisa · 10/03/2008 14:54

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Hopeoverexperience · 10/03/2008 15:14

We're going to the Tunbridge Wells centre.We are already on the Maths Whizz programme (through school) - I'm hoping the Kumon will offer something which will help her confidence as much as anything else.

OP posts:
longlegted · 10/03/2008 15:25

KipMcgrathgive a more rounded to maths and literacy. I've been teaching for them for 3 years now and i am constantly surprised by the difference an 1hour 20mins a week makes. I have no experience of Kumon Maths, form what others have said it sounds like a big commitment.

evie99 · 10/03/2008 17:25

Hopeoverexperience-slightly personal question which you don't have to answer (obviously!) but I just wondered if your dd went to a private or state school. The reason I ask is that we may have to switch schools soon (possibly TW area)and are considering private however I'm also thinking state with some private tutition on top if necessary. Just interested if you were paying "on top" of fees?

evie99 · 10/03/2008 17:26

BTW, only know one person who pays for Kumon for her 6 year old ds and he is doing very well at maths.

Reallytired · 10/03/2008 17:45

A cheaper alternative to Kumon

powerof2.co.uk/