Is it good idea to start Junior Kumon classes for 3.5 years old.

[anuma]

My thoughts exactly. We have this argument in our household every month or so and usually I prevail.

When we reminiscence over our growing up years, I sometimes see in his eyes the fun he missed.

I ask all the parents to honestly answer to themselves, if they were in their kids shoes, what would have they liked to do more of.

Would they like to do more of Kumon homework or
spin on their skates and with a twinkle in their eye say look daddy what I could do.
or look mommy I can swim backwards,
or look dad I can run faster than you
or mommy listen to the music I can play

Well said, rabtag. I agree 100% with you

Even if it means my child scores lower in classes, I'd rather have a bright, inquisitive, happy child rather than an academic superstar that is unhappy and boring, who can talk of only his perfect scores in Maths.

[apanati]

I posted this Question in June 2008 before I started Kumon classes for my older kid. She was 3.5 years at that time. After much discussion, we started classes in July 2008. It has been 2 years since she started this and i have seen lot of improvement in her. She had speech delay issues. The Reading class helped her alot. I work and very busy with my work. I don't have time to prepare material for her. All i can do is to spend 30mins - 1hr of my time to work with her. The kumon homework sheets guided me in what to teach. I never force her to read or do math. If she is struggling with her work, i ask the instructor to reduce the pages and see to that it doesn't take much of her time.

[pazham]

Kumon can also help if you are planing to R2I.

My son went to Kumon for a couple of years before we R2Id. He loved doing kumon. Somehow it gave him a lot of confidence. He was ahead of his class by two years and got numerous appreciations and awards at school. His teach always used to praise him and made him take advance classes. He was always proud of that. When we relocated to India Kumon help him clear the entrance test with flying colors. It also helped him to adjust to Indian classwork very easily. He still loves and misses kumon. Whenever I ask him does he want to go back to kumon classes, I see brightness or happiness in his eyes.

[satbab]

My son does not like Kumon that much and he is losing interest in Math/numbers. A new ALOHA franchise opened in our town and i am wondering if i should try ALOHA now. He has been doing Kumon math for 1 year. My goal is not rekindle his interest in numbers and not necessarily that he does math ahead of his grade level. He is going to turn 6 and is in Kindergarten now.

Any thoughts?

[soxfan]

My son does not like Kumon that much and he is losing interest in Math/numbers. A new ALOHA franchise opened in our town and i am wondering if i should try ALOHA now. He has been doing Kumon math for 1 year. My goal is not rekindle his interest in numbers and not necessarily that he does math ahead of his grade level. He is going to turn 6 and is in Kindergarten now.

Any thoughts?

We too considered Aloha for our kids and after some deliberation finally didn't join them in, our reasoning was: Aloha uses a particular technique (abacus) to do arithmetic faster. For example, once completing this course kids could do 2421*342 in a quick way without using calculator. They dont use paper/pencil to show their work or the steps involved - which is what made me think twice about it. In many school districts kids are actively encouraged to show their work and steps in solving the final problem. So, I was not sure how this new technique would play out in their school work. Also I thought learning the basic concept of arithmetic (the meaning of division or percentage for example) is more important than the skill to do it faster. Aloha for sure helps kids do arithmetic faster - but I dont think it will reinforce the concept behind the operation.

On the positive side, Aloha is a shorter course completing which kids would have learned basic arithmetic. They also claim that this particular technique exercizes the right side of the brain which will have other positive impact on the kids. Dont know if its true or has some scientific stregth behind this claim.

[indigoyogi]

Did Einstein or other mathematics geniuses attend Aloha or these classes? I am not against these classes.
But, I can't understand the craze behind several Indian parents putting their kids in these classes.. what for? To do the arithmetic faster? Will the kids achieve proficiency in anything other than number crunching? I understand that when both parents are working or can't tutor their kids themselves, it is/may be necessary.

[Chakra]

Did Einstein or other mathematics geniuses attend Aloha or these classes? I am not against these classes.
But, I can't understand the craze behind several Indian parents putting their kids in these classes.. what for? To do the arithmetic faster? Will the kids achieve proficiency in anything other than number crunching? I understand that when both parents are working or can't tutor their kids themselves, it is/may be necessary.

There are many reasons:
- They believe that to get into a good college and then find a job, in this cut throat competitive world, kids need to do complex calculations quickly. They still do not realise that they are not in Hyderabad anymore. There are more colleges and jobs here, and rules of the game are different.
- They need something to brag about at potlucks and while waiting at Kumon with other Moms. What's better than "my son/daughter is in 6th grade but is attending classes with 8th graders".
- They have gone through this grind as a child, they want to provide the same experience to their kids.

I once met a Dad, who was talking about his son in 6th grade who was doing calculus. His eyes were emotional and chest swelling with pride. He thought that I was being too casual with raising my kids. That night, I made my kids do extra home work, and cut their play/TV time in half.

[indigoyogi]

There are many reasons:
- They believe that to get into a good college and then find a job, in this cut throat competitive world, kids need to do complex calculations quickly. They still do not realise that they are not in Hyderabad anymore. There are more colleges and jobs here, and rules of the game are different.
- They need something to brag about at potlucks and while waiting at Kumon with other Moms. What's better than "my son/daughter is in 6th grade but is attending classes with 8th graders".
- They have gone through this grind as a child, they want to provide the same experience to their kids.

I once met a Dad, who was talking about his son in 6th grade who was doing calculus. His eyes were emotional and chest swelling with pride. He thought that I was being too casual with raising my kids. That night, I made my kids do extra home work, and cut their play/TV time in half.

Highlighted are the reasons I don't want to put my kids through the same grind. Now, if it'll help them expand their thinking process and they'll enjoy the experience then, I don't mind.

[neesha]

This is the discussion we are having at home currently for our child. The questions that come to my mind are -

1) If we(parents) have to spend time at home motivating them to complete their worksheets then we might teach them as well. Why do we need Kumon then ?

2) I have personally noticed with my children whenever there is repetition ..... finished .... loss of interest, poor concentration, beginning of silly mistakes ... And as other posters have said earlier will they dislike the subject ?

Earlier, I may have got affected by other parents talking about their children doing algebra at the age of 4...6yrs.... but now I just don't feel interested in it. I would rather preserve the innocence of my child, the capacity to wonder, the capacity to know than stuff them with readymade knowledge.

I am not much bothered by the competitive world argument either. I think any competition deep down is violent.

[laks0]

I am not much bothered by the competitive world argument either. I think any competition deep down is violent.

hmmm..interesting thought. maybe it needs a new thread.