At what age did your child start kumon?

[Anonymous]

I have an almost 4yo son. He knows all his letters and just starting to write. They do everyday math at his preschool. We have bought and done some Kumon books at home (tracing, coloring, mazes, etc.). I was thinking of starting DS in Kumon this summer at age 4. Then he will have a full year of kumon before he starts kindergarten. I believe it is 1 hour per week for jr kumon.

[Anonymous]

You son sounds well with the ranges of normal. Why do you feel compelled to do Kumon? That's like school on top of (pre)school? Are you trying to make sure he improves or becomes advanced? Or are you trying to ensure he stays normal? I would think you could accomplish this with regular discussion, educational games, flashcards if you prefer, etc...

I'm not trying to pounce. Just curious why this is such a big deal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You son sounds well with the ranges of normal. Why do you feel compelled to do Kumon? That's like school on top of (pre)school? Are you trying to make sure he improves or becomes advanced? Or are you trying to ensure he stays normal? I would think you could accomplish this with regular discussion, educational games, flashcards if you prefer, etc...

I'm not trying to pounce. Just curious why this is such a big deal?

I just want to make sure he has good academic fundamentals when he starts elementary school.

[Anonymous]

I did the same thing that you are planning. I put him in Jr. Kumon one year before he started kindergarten. He attended a play-based preschool which was wonderful - plenty of outdoor time, exploration, singing, lots of choice, etc. The only drawback was they never, ever would force a child to pick up a pencil or crayon. They might gently suggest it but would never insist or prod. My son never chose to do any fine motor activities and never wanted to do any art. So as a balance I enrolled him in Kumon and he did anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes of work five days a week at home and visited the center two times a week. It worked out great. He is doing great in kindergarten. His friend who was at his preschool is struggling even though he is a really amazingly bright kid. So if your kid is at an academic preschool I wouldn't do it, but if he or she attends a play based preschool it is a great balance.

[Anonymous]

We went thru this situation while DD was that age. DD started 4 digit multiplication in pre-k 4. After reviewing and attending some workshops, we decided to simply purchase Kumon Workbooks for DD. Not the coloring, 123, ABC workbooks. DD finished 2nd grade workbooks (reading, writing, math) while she was 5 yo; finished 3rd grade while she was in 1st grade, etc....

DH and I taught her when she couldn't figuring out by herself. We also used timer to keep the session short, and built the strength to get the answers right at first try.

Amazon.com has the most complete Kumon workbooks available. But the workbooks only up to 6th grade. DD finished all while she was in 3rd grade. We hired private tutor (MCPS teachers) since she was in spring semester of 3rd grade.

Currently, DD is in 5th grade, learning IM at school, and Algebra 1 (9th grade material and maintaining >95% score when tested) with private tutors

[Anonymous]

I think you are right Kumon is great for kids. I am going to put my son for both English and Math. There is nothing wrong with wanting your child to excel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We went thru this situation while DD was that age. DD started 4 digit multiplication in pre-k 4. After reviewing and attending some workshops, we decided to simply purchase Kumon Workbooks for DD. Not the coloring, 123, ABC workbooks. DD finished 2nd grade workbooks (reading, writing, math) while she was 5 yo; finished 3rd grade while she was in 1st grade, etc....

DH and I taught her when she couldn't figuring out by herself. We also used timer to keep the session short, and built the strength to get the answers right at first try.

Amazon.com has the most complete Kumon workbooks available. But the workbooks only up to 6th grade. DD finished all while she was in 3rd grade. We hired private tutor (MCPS teachers) since she was in spring semester of 3rd grade.

Currently, DD is in 5th grade, learning IM at school, and Algebra 1 (9th grade material and maintaining >95% score when tested) with private tutors


Very recently I saw books for 6-8 th grade

[Anonymous]

http://www.amazon.com/Kumon-Pre-Algebra-Workbook-Math-Workbooks/dp/1935800833/ref=pd_sim_b_32?ie=UTF8&refRID=0T4KP283A48EF4PDK2YY

[Anonymous]

You have to start earlier than that. There's no way your kid is going to TJ. He will end up at community college for sure. What a shame.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an almost 4yo son. He knows all his letters and just starting to write. They do everyday math at his preschool. We have bought and done some Kumon books at home (tracing, coloring, mazes, etc.). I was thinking of starting DS in Kumon this summer at age 4. Then he will have a full year of kumon before he starts kindergarten. I believe it is 1 hour per week for jr kumon.

My daughter was reading incredibly well and doing double digit addition before she started Kinder (I taught her at home because she wanted to do the same things as her brother). Now she is so advanced in Kinder she is bored out of her mind. I don't know if I did her any service. The school year is almost over and there are only 2 other kids that are reading close to her level (2nd grade level). She started getting pull outs for reading, but she told me they make her read easy books also.

[Anonymous]

We started at age 6 while in 1st grade. We do just the math because I feel like it's easy to do reading with my son myself. We started because my son was struggling with math and especially his self-confidence in math. Kumon has really helped. They start easy, and it is repetitive, but it is only about 10 minutes a night, and he really is getting more self-confident and faster at his math facts. It's so much easier to have a program to follow rather than having me trying to get him to do workbooks each night, but that is just me. I think the best time to start is the summer after K, but I agree with pp's who do it before K if you are in a play-based preschool.

[Anonymous]

What school does four digit multiplication with four year olds?

[Anonymous]

DC is 3 and starting at a play-based preschool in the fall. To those of you doing Kumon before Kinder, are you going public or private? Has there been any indication/suggestion that your child would be otherwise underprepared for Kinder? I'll admit I'm pretty shocked that this is so popular before K.

[Anonymous]

This area is insane. Let your little kids be kids, for God's sake. This is pathetic.

[Anonymous]

This area is insane. Let your little kids be kids, for God's sake. This is pathetic.

I agree. What has happened to simply signing your kids up for year round club swimming with club soccer, basketball and lacrosse for supplementary treats.