Junior Kumon parents please contribute- really want your input.

[Anonymous]

Not worried about DC learning to read naturally. We read a lot of books everyday. I really want to get an edge in math, I "play" math at home with the kids, general counting, etc. We screened at Kumon and they suggested reading first but I only want the math. Has anyone pursued only math for their toddler?

Please share experiences of Junior Kumon with your child. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Yes, for both my kids. They read books and speak English in school and at home. We have not found Kumon English necessary. The first child is in his 5th year of Kumon Math. The second grader is in his 3rd/4th year of Kumon Math.

[Anonymous]

Just signed up my 4 year old (turns 5 in Dec.) for Junior Kumon yesterday, math only. He will go to kindergarten next year and is at a play based preschool. I asked his daycare teachers if they ever insist that a child pick up a pencil or crayon to practice writing their name or to draw/ color if the child doesn't want to and they told me they would only encourage him but never insist. As a result he never chooses to any fine motor activities. I love the center and love that he gets to play outside a lot and explore, but his fine motor/math skills will be behind when he starts K if we don't do anything. I don't want him in an academic preschool so I think having him do Jr. Kumon math will be a good balance since it is 10 minutes a day at home five days a week, and two, 30 minute sessions at the center. Of course, we could probably replicate what he will learn at Junior Kumon, at home but I don't have time to gather math packets together.

We read tons of books to him and have taught him letter sounds and blending at home, so he is picking up on reading. We specifically told the center we only wanted math and they were perfectly happy just to have us sign him up for math. We play math games with him at home (cards, board games, etc.) so orally he is great at answering math questions, but he really needs to improve his fine motor control and learn to write the numbers. I visited 3 Kumon centers and each one was slightly different in terms of price, hours, length of contract vs. month-to-month, if they offer a dedicated jr. kumon room, etc. He tested into the lowest level 7A, which didn't surprise us. We signed up at the Kumon center farthest from our house, but it had the best Jr. Kumon instructor / time/ and room. The Kumon instructor told us, on average, he should complete 7A (numbers to 10) in one month, 6A (numbers to 30) in 2 months, 5A(improving number writing skills) in one month, 4A (reading, writing, and reciting numbers to 50) in three months, and should be working on level 3A(numbers up to 120 and learning addition) by the time he starts K in 11 months. If he progresses at the average rate then he will have gone from being behind for his age to above grade level in a year. I think that is worth the approximately 1300 to 1400 to dollars it will cost in total.

We do plan on having him continue with Kumon math right now, but we will re-evaluate in a year to see where he is at. To the PP poster or anyone else who knows about Kumon, do you think these rates of progress are accurate? What math level is your second grader at Kumon?

[Anonymous]

The second grader is at E 180 about to move to F by the end of the month (end of fractions and beginning decimals). He started at the age of 3 1/2.
The fifth grader is at J 85 (Algebra 2 and complex factoring). He started at the age of 5 1/2.

We are striving to finish the math program for both boys sometime in middle school when the school workload increases, extracurricular options start to multiply, male hormones kick in and they surely find other avenues to preoccupy themselves with.

[Anonymous]

The second grader is at E 180 about to move to F by the end of the month (end of fractions and beginning decimals). He started at the age of 3 1/2.
The fifth grader is at J 85 (Algebra 2 and complex factoring). He started at the age of 5 1/2.

We are striving to finish the math program for both boys sometime in middle school when the school workload increases, extracurricular options start to multiply, male hormones kick in and they surely find other avenues to preoccupy themselves with.

PS: According to the quarterly reports from our Center both boys are performing 4 grade levels above their current grade level ... for whatever that is worth. Some kids we know homeschool so traditional grade levels are essentially meaningless; or at least, not as important as their kid's continual progress and enjoyment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The second grader is at E 180 about to move to F by the end of the month (end of fractions and beginning decimals). He started at the age of 3 1/2.
The fifth grader is at J 85 (Algebra 2 and complex factoring). He started at the age of 5 1/2.

We are striving to finish the math program for both boys sometime in middle school when the school workload increases, extracurricular options start to multiply, male hormones kick in and they surely find other avenues to preoccupy themselves with.

Fantastic progress! Did you think it was better signing up your second son at an earlier age? Is he farther ahead of where his older sibling was when the sibling was in second grade. I assume he saw his older sibling and wanted to do Kumon too. I have a 3 year old and was wondering whether it is better to start Jr. Kumon at 3 1/2 , 4, or wait until 5?

[Anonymous]

We started the elder in Kumon Math halfway in K grade when it was apparent he was way ahead of the goals and objectives of the class. He is very quick, sharp with a memory of an elephant. The experience with the older child made it easy for us to proceed earlier with the younger one who is a very different and low key personality; and not as quick at grasping concepts as his brother was at the age of 3. I don't recall where he started but I do remember him starting at a level where he was essentially learning to trace numbers on paper. Paradoxically, we think he is further ahead than the older brother was at 7 years of age in the program. I suspect the earlier start explains this. At any rate, the transition was much smoother with the younger as he very much wants to do the things his older brother does. He still adores and looks up to him. I'm not sure when or whether a competitive sibling rivalry will emerge later; but for now the older child has made it easier for us as parents to get the younger on board.

There is no magic time to start but the earlier the better in my opinion. If the child is ready and accepting at 3 or 4 this is fine. Later is also ok. Those starting late in elementary or middle school may be operating in a reactive rather than proactive mode as by this time problems have arisen and the family may be in a remedial pose trying to play catch up. This mode of learning (an important component, but only one component, of mathematical education) probably will not appeal to the older child or high school student.

[Anonymous]

OP - I really appreciated the input. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

To the PP who has two kids in Kumon (with second grader at E 180 and fifth grader at J 85 (Algebra 2 and complex factoring). Are your kids in full time AAP Center and if so, do they get diferentiation in math based on how advanced they are?

[Anonymous]

10:38 here, I meant to ask if your 5th grader was in full time AAP Center?

[Anonymous]

To 10:38:

He straddles middle (mathematics) and elementary (HG center) schools. He is not in your State or in full time AAP Center.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just signed up my 4 year old (turns 5 in Dec.) for Junior Kumon yesterday, math only. He will go to kindergarten next year and is at a play based preschool. I asked his daycare teachers if they ever insist that a child pick up a pencil or crayon to practice writing their name or to draw/ color if the child doesn't want to and they told me they would only encourage him but never insist. As a result he never chooses to any fine motor activities. I love the center and love that he gets to play outside a lot and explore, but his fine motor/math skills will be behind when he starts K if we don't do anything. I don't want him in an academic preschool so I think having him do Jr. Kumon math will be a good balance since it is 10 minutes a day at home five days a week, and two, 30 minute sessions at the center. Of course, we could probably replicate what he will learn at Junior Kumon, at home but I don't have time to gather math packets together.

We read tons of books to him and have taught him letter sounds and blending at home, so he is picking up on reading. We specifically told the center we only wanted math and they were perfectly happy just to have us sign him up for math. We play math games with him at home (cards, board games, etc.) so orally he is great at answering math questions, but he really needs to improve his fine motor control and learn to write the numbers. I visited 3 Kumon centers and each one was slightly different in terms of price, hours, length of contract vs. month-to-month, if they offer a dedicated jr. kumon room, etc. He tested into the lowest level 7A, which didn't surprise us. We signed up at the Kumon center farthest from our house, but it had the best Jr. Kumon instructor / time/ and room. The Kumon instructor told us, on average, he should complete 7A (numbers to 10) in one month, 6A (numbers to 30) in 2 months, 5A(improving number writing skills) in one month, 4A (reading, writing, and reciting numbers to 50) in three months, and should be working on level 3A(numbers up to 120 and learning addition) by the time he starts K in 11 months. If he progresses at the average rate
then he will have gone from being behind for his age to above grade level in a year. I think that is worth the approximately 1300 to 1400 to dollars it will cost in total.

What card games And buardgames do you play?

We do plan on having him continue with Kumon math right now, but we will re-evaluate in a year to see where he is at. To the PP poster or anyone else who knows about Kumon, do you think these rates of progress are accurate? What math level is your second grader at Kumon?

[Anonymous]

Rates of progress may be accurate for the right given child. I'm sure you recognize ... all children do not progess at the same rate in the classroom or on the playground. Thus, there are no guarantees in life or Kumon.

[Anonymous]

I am curious how your children are accomodated at school with so much math enrichment? Or is this part of a home schooling program?

[Anonymous]

The older child takes Algebra 1 in middle school (first period) and is bused back to the elementary HGC. The younger gets the typical math menu/fare in the lower elementary school classroom.