Kumon maths - best alternative ?

[lotti37]

Can anyone advise a good alternative for Kumon maths ? Anyone doing sams learning ? My boys are in year 6 and 8 and have been doing Kumon for years but they are basically teaching themselves and we are paying £65 months really for the supply of the daily booklets they complete . THry have reached a point where it Oscar really difficult and don’t feel there is any support so want to look for an alternative . They are both years ahead in maths so it has helped them but looking for an alternative . Maybe online . Thank you

If they are “years ahead”, why are they doing kumon? Years ahead means calculus level and above and they should have stopped Kumon years ago. Look online for resources from the UKMT or the Art of Problem Solving of this is indeed their level.

I say this as I have a year 5 who is not years ahead but can comfortably do algebra.

Hi thanks for your reply . My year 6 son is doing advanced algebra , our Kumon instructor said he was doing gcse level work . The Kumon has certainly helped them to be confident quick thinking but we are all fed up of Kumon and want to do something else that will help them. I will have a look at the uk my thank you

What does the teacher say? I'd be asking their advice.

Kumon is good for number strategies but it can lead to pupils knowing their facts and being good with number but having little deeper understanding which is detrimental later on. This happens because at a younger age they storm through maths lessons confidently and don't need the full, deeper explanations which other children get. It can mean they get to Year 4 then really struggle when things become more involved and about problem solving. Maths is about way more than number bonds, times tables and basic algebra. I'd now focus on reasoning and problem solving. Use the NRICH wild maths website. Get them solving more open ended problems. Ask them to explain mistakes. Look at the kind of problem where there is more than one solution. This is real, deep maths which will help them long term at their age.