Anyone have a negative outcome with jr kumon/kumon?

[Anonymous]

We plan to start our 4yo in kumon this summer in preparation for kindergarten. I don't want him to get frustrated if he doesn't progress quickly.

[Anonymous]

Why are you starting a 4 year old with work like this? Just curious.

[Anonymous]

We tried it at just 4, but I wasn't that enthusiastic. Our daughter quickly got to a challenging level (for her) and then just stayed there for a month. It was a totally appropriate level of work. But I began to feel foolish paying each month for the exact same worksheets every week. We stopped and I moved on to Singapore math which we enjoy much more.

I think Kumon would be great for an older kid who needs drilling and reinforcement for automaticity. I'm not as much of a fan of it for either the younger set or for enrichment.

[Anonymous]

I think it is good for fine motor skills. But I just buy the books and do it ourselves.

[Anonymous]

I am not sure what you mean by negative outcome. I signed up my son one year before he started kindergarten. He attended a play based all day preschool. It was a good compliment to his preschool. He learned how to sit and concentrate for 10 to 15 minutes. His fine motor control improved significantly. When he started he could only write the numbers 1 and 7. After 9 months he could write numbers quickly and effortlessly and started to learned basic addition (4+8). I took him out the summer befor kinder because I wanted him to understand math concepts. He had.no strategy to solve a problem like 4+8 except for brute memorization. It really did prepare him for kinder. He is able to finish his written work quickly without struggling. I am not sure just 2 or 3 months is enough. When I pulled him out of Kumon I taught him with first grade Singapore Math. He now has strategies to solve math problems and understands place value, etc. ( ex. 4+ 8, so 8 needs 2 more to make 10, 4-2= 2, 10+2= 12 so 4+8 = 12 or he can now mentally add 40+19). Now a year later I am going to put him back in Kumon to get his addition and subtraction facts down cold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you starting a 4 year old with work like this? Just curious.

Not the OP, but why do people post responses like this? She obviously wants her child to have a strong in Kindergarten, like 90% of other parents do as well if they were honest enough to admit it. The OP wasn't asking what people think about giving 4 year olds academic work; she was asking about personal outcomes with the program.

[Anonymous]

Does Kumon really not teach any concepts at all? I get the impression that it's nothing but worksheets with problems like 4+6 = 10. Do these worksheets not include pictures that go along with that as well or is it really just the equation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you starting a 4 year old with work like this? Just curious.

Not the OP, but why do people post responses like this? She obviously wants her child to have a strong in Kindergarten, like 90% of other parents do as well if they were honest enough to admit it. The OP wasn't asking what people think about giving 4 year olds academic work; she was asking about personal outcomes with the program.

Not the PP, but I wondered the same thing. Not trying to flame here, but worksheets aren't developmentally appropriate, and many kids aren't developmentally ready to learn from worksheets alone as they are abstract. Kids need concrete objects to learn from first.

Parents who push their kids at 4 are the same ones who complain when their child isn't being challenged enough in K. There shouldn't be a rush to push kids to be able to sit and do seat work and worksheets. They will have some worksheets in K and then have from at least 1st-12th grade for that. You can reinforce some concepts at home with actual objects, but there's no need to push it. Playdough, stringing beads, moon sand, tearing/cutting paper, coloring, etc are all great for developing fine motor skills. If your worried about pencil grip you can reinforce it while coloring and also when she/he is writing at home. If there are true concerns about delays for K, that's one thing but most kids should be fine especially if they've attended preschool.

Signed, a Pre-K/K teacher (with a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood and a Masters degree in Special Education)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you starting a 4 year old with work like this? Just curious.

Not the OP, but why do people post responses like this? She obviously wants her child to have a strong in Kindergarten, like 90% of other parents do as well if they were honest enough to admit it. The OP wasn't asking what people think about giving 4 year olds academic work; she was asking about personal outcomes with the program.

Not the PP, but I wondered the same thing. Not trying to flame here, but worksheets aren't developmentally appropriate, and many kids aren't developmentally ready to learn from worksheets alone as they are abstract. Kids need concrete objects to learn from first.

Parents who push their kids at 4 are the same ones who complain when their child isn't being challenged enough in K. There shouldn't be a rush to push kids to be able to sit and do seat work and worksheets. They will have some worksheets in K and then have from at least 1st-12th grade for that. You can reinforce some concepts at home with actual objects, but there's no need to push it. Playdough, stringing beads, moon sand, tearing/cutting paper, coloring, etc are all great for developing fine motor skills. If your worried about pencil grip you can reinforce it while coloring and also when she/he is writing at home. If there are true concerns about delays for K, that's one thing but most kids should be fine especially if they've attended preschool.

Signed, a Pre-K/K teacher (with a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood and a Masters degree in Special Education)

The 10 minutes a day that I have had my kids do supplemental worksheets starting at age 3 have provided enormous benefits in the easiest, most efficient way possible.

Signed, a parent of 2 daughters (who are both 2+ years ahead in reading, at least 1 year ahead in math, and both in their school's gifted program)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you starting a 4 year old with work like this? Just curious.

Not the OP, but why do people post responses like this? She obviously wants her child to have a strong in Kindergarten, like 90% of other parents do as well if they were honest enough to admit it. The OP wasn't asking what people think about giving 4 year olds academic work; she was asking about personal outcomes with the program.

Not the PP, but I wondered the same thing. Not trying to flame here, but worksheets aren't developmentally appropriate, and many kids aren't developmentally ready to learn from worksheets alone as they are abstract. Kids need concrete objects to learn from first.

Parents who push their kids at 4 are the same ones who complain when their child isn't being challenged enough in K. There shouldn't be a rush to push kids to be able to sit and do seat work and worksheets. They will have some worksheets in K and then have from at least 1st-12th grade for that. You can reinforce some concepts at home with actual objects, but there's no need to push it. Playdough, stringing beads, moon sand, tearing/cutting paper, coloring, etc are all great for developing fine motor skills. If your worried about pencil grip you can reinforce it while coloring and also when she/he is writing at home. If there are true concerns about delays for K, that's one thing but most kids should be fine especially if they've attended preschool.

Signed, a Pre-K/K teacher (with a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood and a Masters degree in Special Education)

The 10 minutes a day that I have had my kids do supplemental worksheets starting at age 3 have provided enormous benefits in the easiest, most efficient way possible.

Signed, a parent of 2 daughters (who are both 2+ years ahead in reading, at least 1 year ahead in math, and both in their school's gifted program)

There is no "gifted" program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you starting a 4 year old with work like this? Just curious.

Not the OP, but why do people post responses like this? She obviously wants her child to have a strong in Kindergarten, like 90% of other parents do as well if they were honest enough to admit it. The OP wasn't asking what people think about giving 4 year olds academic work; she was asking about personal outcomes with the program.

So I can't ask my own question? It was an honest question. I have a young child and wouldn't have even considered it until I read these posts. Sorry YOU misinterpreted my question, but I'm allowed to ask a question, whether you like it or not. That said, it seems like nearly everyone on these boards says their kid is a year or two ahead or advanced in reading, math, etc. If everyone is, then is it that all kids kind of catch up with each other?

[Anonymous]

Not the PP, but I wondered the same thing. Not trying to flame here, but worksheets aren't developmentally appropriate, and many kids aren't developmentally ready to learn from worksheets alone as they are abstract. Kids need concrete objects to learn from first.

Parents who push their kids at 4 are the same ones who complain when their child isn't being challenged enough in K. There shouldn't be a rush to push kids to be able to sit and do seat work and worksheets. They will have some worksheets in K and then have from at least 1st-12th grade for that. You can reinforce some concepts at home with actual objects, but there's no need to push it. Playdough, stringing beads, moon sand, tearing/cutting paper, coloring, etc are all great for developing fine motor skills. If your worried about pencil grip you can reinforce it while coloring and also when she/he is writing at home. If there are true concerns about delays for K, that's one thing but most kids should be fine especially if they've attended preschool.

Signed, a Pre-K/K teacher (with a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood and a Masters degree in Special Education)

I suggest you recommend this to your own children and clients. As adults are not all the same; children are not all the same. One size does not fit all.

signed MD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you starting a 4 year old with work like this? Just curious.

Not the OP, but why do people post responses like this? She obviously wants her child to have a strong in Kindergarten, like 90% of other parents do as well if they were honest enough to admit it. The OP wasn't asking what people think about giving 4 year olds academic work; she was asking about personal outcomes with the program.

Not the PP, but I wondered the same thing. Not trying to flame here, but worksheets aren't developmentally appropriate, and many kids aren't developmentally ready to learn from worksheets alone as they are abstract. Kids need concrete objects to learn from first.

Parents who push their kids at 4 are the same ones who complain when their child isn't being challenged enough in K. There shouldn't be a rush to push kids to be able to sit and do seat work and worksheets. They will have some worksheets in K and then have from at least 1st-12th grade for that. You can reinforce some concepts at home with actual objects, but there's no need to push it. Playdough, stringing beads, moon sand, tearing/cutting paper, coloring, etc are all great for developing fine motor skills. If your worried about pencil grip you can reinforce it while coloring and also when she/he is writing at home. If there are true concerns about delays for K, that's one thing but most kids should be fine especially if they've attended preschool.

Signed, a Pre-K/K teacher (with a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood and a Masters degree in Special Education)

OP here. I did a bit of research since I first posted. Our local Kumon center recommended starting with reading only for 4 year olds. My son attends preschool right now and from the work that gets sent home, they do 1 worksheet per day on writing. They also send home various art projects that they colored, painted, glued, etc. I have bought a wide variety of preschool workbooks but most books have a mixture of pages that are too easy for my son or too advanced. Kumon gives you the skill appropriate sheets and builds upon the foundation. I love this idea. My other option is to continue buying preschool books where we use about 1/3 of the book that is the right level for my son.

We are not talking hours of worksheets per day. 5-10 minutes amongst the hours of play inside and outside is fine.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you have done some research and you should go ahead and see how it works. My only disclaimer would be to remember that Kumon is a business, so they are in the business of retaining you as a customer by persuading you of the value they provide. They are not in the business of offering advice about whether their service is developmentally appropriate or necessary. I would check with your preschool teacher or families with kindergarteners on questions of developmental appropriateness.

[Anonymous]

We do 10 min/day with my 4 yo DS and I see no down side! We do it at home, so it's pretty low cost and DS enjoys them.

Not sure why they would be considered 'developmentally inappropriate'. Kumon makes 'age appropriate' workbooks. DS loves the cutting/pasting/craft ones. He also has gotten a sense of pride from how much he has improved in writing his letters and numbers.

He is at a play based preschool, do PLENtY of time to explore by playing. 10 mins/day really isn't that much.

I'd say try the workbooks at home first before you start paying for a center. The time you would take driving your kid there and back would be enough to do the work at home. Plus, this way, it's something you can do WITH your kid, and you'll both feel a sense of pride in his/her work! You can always do the center later if you find it necessary.

And, if you want to implement your own incentives, just do stickers for each page completed or a small toy/book at the end of every workbook.

Good luck!! Good for you for taking an interest in your kid's education and for wanting to help your DC learn!