To Kumon or not to Kumon. That is the question.

[megabored]

DD is starting school in September. Below are the Pros and Cons I have been debating recently.

1. She is bright, so should be okay without extra help in school
2. It is too early to put her through this
3. Kumon is expensive and time consuming.

The Pros

1. It may give her that bit of extra confidence at school
2. Earlier is better as then she can grow with that system
3. Its not so expensive as to be prohibitive.

I really cant decide either way. Please someone help?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Some cause happiness wherever they go. Others whenever they go.

I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.

Mumsnet have acted so it's over

Indeed.

So why are you still going on about it?

You enjoying yourself there, mrz?

just a little

I didn't fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian

Is this what you call 'trolling' mrz? Derail a discussion by dumb quotes? Don't have anything intelligent to say, let's cut and past loads of quotes!

heh? wtf?!

Not my understanding of 'trolling' but hey. But if you read them carefully, many are surprisingly relevant. Would copy and paste the MN trolling policy but got deleted last time I did that, for some reason.

Just Playing

"When I'm building in the block room,
Please don't say I'm "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
About balance and shapes.
When I'm getting all dressed up,
Setting the table, caring for the babies.
Don't get the idea I'm "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
When you see me up to my elbows in paint,
Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay,
Please don't let me hear you say "he's just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm expressing myself and being creative.
I may be an artist or an inventor someday.
When you see me sitting in a chair
"Reading" to an imaginary audience,
Please don't laugh and think I'm "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a teacher someday.
When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,
Or packing my pockets with choice things I find,
Don't pass it off as "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a scientist someday.
When you see me engrossed in a puzzle,
Or some "plaything" at my school,
Please don't feel the time is wasted in "play"
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.
When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
Please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is just "play.
I'm learning to follow directions and see differences.'
I may be a chef someday.
When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body,
Please don't say I'm "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.
When you ask me what I've done at school today,
And I say, "I played."
Please don't misunderstand me.
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in work.
I'm preparing for tomorrow.
Today, I'm a child and my work is play.

• Anita Wadley

:)

"Play Today"

You say you love your children,
And are concerned they learn today?
So am I; that's why I'm providing
A variety of kinds of play.
You're asking me the value
Of blocks and other such play?
Your children are solving problems.
They will use that skill everyday.

You're asking what's the value
Of having your children play?
Your daughter's creating a tower.
She may be a builder someday.

You're saying you don't want your son
To play in that "sissy" way?
He's learning to cuddle a doll.
He may be a father someday.

You're questioning the learning centers;
They just look like useless play?
Your children are making choices;
They'll be on their own someday.

You're worried your children aren't learning,
and later they'll pay?
They're learning a pattern for learning,
For they will be learners always.

Today I did my maths and science.
I toasted bread, I halved and quartered, counted, measured, and used my eyes,
ears and hands.
I added and subtracted on the way.
I used magnets, blocks and memory tray.
I learned about a rainbow and how to weigh.
So please don't say -

'ANYTHING IN YOUR BAG TODAY?'

You see. I'm sharing as I play, to learn to listen and speak clearly when I
talk
to wait my turn and when inside to walk.
To put my words into a phrase, to find my name and write it down.
To do it with a smile and not a frown,
to put my pasting brush away. So please, don't say -

WHAT NOTHING IN YOUR BAG TODAY?'

I learned about a snail and a worm.
Remembered how to take my turn.
Helped a friend when he was stuck.
Learned that water runs off a duck.
Looked at words from left to right.
Agreed to differ, not to fight.
So please don't say -

'DID YOU ONLY PLAY TODAY?'

Yes, I played the whole day through.
I played to learn the things I do.
I speak a problem, find a clue
and work out for myself just what to do.
My teacher's set the scene, and stay near-by to help me when I really try.
They are there to pose the problems, and to help me think.
I hope they will keep me floating and never let me sink.
All of this is in my head and not in my bag. It makes me sad to hear you say -

'HAVEN'T YOU DONE ANYTHING TODAY?'

When you attend your meeting today and do your work I will remember not to
say to you -

'WHAT NOTHING IN YOUR BAG? WHAT DID YOU DO?'

I want to teach my students more than lessons in a book;

I want to teach them deeper things that people overlook-

The value of a rose in bloom, its use and beauty, too

A sense of curiosity to discover what is true;

How to think and how to choose the right above the wrong,

How to live and learn each day and grow up to be strong;

To teach them always how to gain in wisdom and in grace,

So they will someday make the world a brighter, better place.

Let me be a friend and guide to give these minds a start

Upon their way down life?s long road, then I?ll have done my part.

I would much rather my DS did that,mrz,than pay for worksheets-no contest.

Game, set and match to mrz

Was just about to start a new thread about kumon. Reading this I am not going to bother hardly ever bother to post but read the threads loads.

Do you realise how a lot of you sound? The last comment game set and match is just horrible there is a way of getting your opinions across and this is not the way there is three people backing each other up all through this thread. It seems worse that you are teachers.

Meg aboard why don't you just hide this thread ? I think there is no more advice to be given.

eastnorth that was meant tongue-in-cheek!
And by "three people backing each other up" I presume you mean agreeing with each other. Is that not allowed? And there were many more "antis" on here than that. In fact, I think you'll find that most of the teachers who post on this whole site feel similarly about Kumon.

"I think there is no more advice to be given." You're right there. And it is pretty much what I meant by "game, set and match."

eastnorth

When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.

Hth.

You said game set and match to mrz which meant you thought she had won. Yes lots of people made their point and left it.

Feenie sorry not a teacher but have no idea what you are on about stop talking in riddles and talk English.

Clam what does gavel mean?

It's what judges use to tap on a block on their desk to dismiss a case when they've had enough of it
Often seen on MN used in a slightly jokey way - as in "It's official. Agree with me "

Well I have learnt something today thank you.

Glad to be of service!