Wow how do you juggle both homework and Kumon? Overload?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, this sounds excellent! Can you point me to some data that concludes that kids finish calculus before the 8th grade on ten minutes of Kumon worksheets per day?

I'm sure I could convince my DH to spend money for our twin DS if you could provide some real studies I can bring to DH. He's a little suspicious that the money would be worth it. Help me make the case!

This is sarcastic, right? I can't tell if this poster is serious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many elementary school kids at our Kumon center are 2 to 4 years ahead in Math (some kids finish calculus before 8th grade). It usually takes less than 10 min per day to do their Kumon math worksheets (I think the requirement is being able to solve 150 math equations in 6 min with 100% accuracy before moving on to the next level). Most of these kids can finish their Kumon math plus home work math in less time than other kids that are struggling to do their math homework. It may be difficult at first to get the kids to finish their Kumon assignment, but soon it will be as natural as brushing teeth everyday.

This makes no difference in the long run.

[Anonymous]

This makes no difference in the long run

It seems to make quite a difference in the short run. I'll take this return on investment any day. We all have different long runs including becoming a DC urban mom.

[Anonymous]

Its not a race. Seriously, if you really wanted that you could get your kids to do all sorts of stupid human tricks at a young age. But what do they sacrifice in the process? My guess is that when they become adults they won't thank you for pushing them to do calculus in 8th grade, but they will thank you for all the childhood memories kids have by relishing the time they have as kids.

It's really not a race. Knowledge has no finish line but no doubt some acquire and reacquire knowledge at faster rates than others. That's what folk like you do not understand. You believe the acquisition of knowledge begins after childhood when you are an adult. You do not understand that a child will acquire more knowledge than you will ever attain in 10 adulthoods. For you, there is a finish line that's why you think some are racing. I know you will never comprehend such a notion. It is what it is.

[Anonymous]

Its not a race. Seriously, if you really wanted that you could get your kids to do all sorts of stupid human tricks at a young age. But what do they sacrifice in the process? My guess is that when they become adults they won't thank you for pushing them to do calculus in 8th grade, but they will thank you for all the childhood memories kids have by relishing the time they have as kids.

I would prefer to live in the skin of the Calculus kid any day. He sounds like he is having a blast in life. After reading all your posts I would never wish to live in your skin. You appear a dour, barely literate and insufferable whiner and complainer regarding the choices of others. You do not have a very healthy self-concept? Why are you so miserable? Didn't you parents keep you away from Calculus and let you play in your child and adult life? Save yourself, don't worry about kids and young adults who are movers and shakers.

[Anonymous]

This poster never praises the success of others ---only chastisement. She will sing high praise for lassitude and mediocrity until the cows come home. Whine, complain, whine, complain about children she doesn't even know. For many kids, 30 minutes of Kumon will be a breath of fresh air from this poster's daily torturing whine about her Alice in wonderland childhood.

[Anonymous]

You misunderstood my post. Does completing Kumon Calculus mean that the school you are enrolled in will allow you to take a totally different math class from the rest of the grade?

[Anonymous]

How much does Kumon cost?

[Anonymous]

I would prefer to live in the skin of the Calculus kid any day. He sounds like he is having a blast in life. After reading all your posts I would never wish to live in your skin. You appear a dour, barely literate and insufferable whiner and complainer regarding the choices of others. You do not have a very healthy self-concept? Why are you so miserable? Didn't you parents keep you away from Calculus and let you play in your child and adult life? Save yourself, don't worry about kids and young adults who are movers and shakers.

I don't have anything against taking calculus early but this is a hilarious post. Movers and shakers? Having a blast in life? Because a kid takes calculus in middle school?

[Anonymous]

Back to the original question. It is hard to start Kumon with both reading and math together. It might be too late but I would focus on Kumon reading for 6 months to catch up and then add math. It also saves money since if a kid can do 10 pages of Kumon homework, if you do both subjects it is split between reading and math and you pay 250 a month. If your kid does ten pages of one subject it is 125 a month since the price is per subject not how many pages. Most schools require students to read 20 to 30 minutes a day, so Kumon reading could fulfill that requirement. Make sure after doing the kumon worksheets for reading you spend time reading books off the Kumon book list.

[Anonymous]

I have seen these children burn out on academics. Probably learn more life skills at the park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This makes no difference in the long run

It seems to make quite a difference in the short run. I'll take this return on investment any day. We all have different long runs including becoming a DC urban mom.

At what price? OP asks "Overload?" in her subject line.

I took multivariable calculus and linear algebra at 16. In the long run, did it give me an advantage over people who took the same courses at 18? No. What matters is having a strong foundation and developing the motivation and creativity to take what you learn and do something with it. I would never suggest stopping a child who is naturally interested in math from pursuing his or interest. But overloading a child with extra classes and homework so that he can be two grades ahead seems like a waste of childhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Its not a race. Seriously, if you really wanted that you could get your kids to do all sorts of stupid human tricks at a young age. But what do they sacrifice in the process? My guess is that when they become adults they won't thank you for pushing them to do calculus in 8th grade, but they will thank you for all the childhood memories kids have by relishing the time they have as kids.

I would prefer to live in the skin of the Calculus kid any day. He sounds like he is having a blast in life. After reading all your posts I would never wish to live in your skin. You appear a dour, barely literate and insufferable whiner and complainer regarding the choices of others. You do not have a very healthy self-concept? Why are you so miserable? Didn't you parents keep you away from Calculus and let you play in your child and adult life? Save yourself, don't worry about kids and young adults who are movers and shakers.

Wow, three posts in a row, you are worked up. Yes, I played as a child. I also read for pleasure, a lot. No one told me what to read, no one forced me to do worksheets or whatever on top of the homework I had. I had fun -- playing, reading, exploring. I did well in school and went to Yale. I've done just fine with my life, thank you, and am so grateful my parents allowed me to have a childhood.

Barely literate? Really?

[Anonymous]

I took multivariable calculus and linear algebra at 16. In the long run, did it give me an advantage over people who took the same courses at 18? No. What matters is having a strong foundation and developing the motivation and creativity to take what you learn and do something with it. I would never suggest stopping a child who is naturally interested in math from pursuing his or interest. But overloading a child with extra classes and homework so that he can be two grades ahead seems like a waste of childhood.

Do not attribute your motivations for taking these subjects at 16 or your long run to others. Some simply want to do it ( like climbing Mt. Everest, but does not make you better than the others). Some are in it or the thrill. We all do not share the same long run. We all do not share the same thrills. Leave the kid alone, if he is not the next lacrosse super star.

[Anonymous]

Wow, three posts in a row, you are worked up. Yes, I played as a child. I also read for pleasure, a lot. No one told me what to read, no one forced me to do worksheets or whatever on top of the homework I had. I had fun -- playing, reading, exploring. I did well in school and went to Yale. I've done just fine with my life, thank you, and am so grateful my parents allowed me to have a childhood.

Barely literate? Really?

Great, the kid likes math and the parents force him to do Calculus by water boarding and assorted torture. It's legal. I'm sure you were solely self-directed through school and didn't need your parents help, guidance or direction. Lucky you.

By the way, when were you at Yale and what College?