Kumon and the likes

[Anonymous]

Do they help a 2nd grader? Do you use any math enrichment programs?

[Anonymous]

What's your goal? To get ahead or just reinforce grade-level material? If it's the latter, try xtra math or splash math apps.

[Anonymous]

I would suggest buying a membership for IXL.... then making sure your child does it for X minutes/day.

[Anonymous]

I am not a fan of Kumon. It reinforces the idea that math is about drill a practice of relatively routine problems. It does nothing for the abstract thinking that defines higher math (Algebra and above).

[Anonymous]

I disagree. I used to think Kumon was just drill drill drill and that the kids couldn't think abstractly. It's helped my kids get their math facts down so they can do abstract math without making silly errors. I started my oldest in first grade-- he's gained a lot of confidence as he's improved. He's an excellent reader but now also a very good math student.

[Anonymous]

any math program has an element of repetition built into it. given the scaffolding nature of learning math, practice and mastery of early concepts frees up the mind to allow focusing on the more advanced concepts. Sooner you start the better, maybe 5 to 10 minutes a day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:any math program has an element of repetition built into it. given the scaffolding nature of learning math, practice and mastery of early concepts frees up the mind to allow focusing on the more advanced concepts. Sooner you start the better, maybe 5 to 10 minutes a day.

This.

[Anonymous]

free workbooks everywhere, really no need to spend on Kumon. Of cause this is a poor parent talking.

[Anonymous]

Kumon is good if your child is fine doing worksheets at home with you as the supervisor of this. My child fights worksheets for homework, so I couldn't give her more "homework." We enrolled at Sylvan, and she goes once a week for one hour. They recommend twice a week, but didn't have time for that.

[Anonymous]

How is Sylvan different from Kumon? less worksheets? is there instruction or is it self learning like kumon?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:any math program has an element of repetition built into it. given the scaffolding nature of learning math, practice and mastery of early concepts frees up the mind to allow focusing on the more advanced concepts. Sooner you start the better, maybe 5 to 10 minutes a day.

This.

A different view

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/15/fashion/with-kumon-fast-tracking-to-kindergarten.html?_r=0

[Anonymous]

Teach numeracy and number sense. Kumon, Sylvan, etc. are rote memory, money-sucks. They aren't really evidence based and have short lived effects.

Get your kid a 10-frame, manipulatives, play numeracy/number sense games.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teach numeracy and number sense. Kumon, Sylvan, etc. are rote memory, money-sucks. They aren't really evidence based and have short lived effects.

Get your kid a 10-frame, manipulatives, play numeracy/number sense games.

I agree. We played games, used cuisenaire rods, and colorful wood building blocks, even up to second and third grade. You can illustrate a lot of math ideas with blocks- and they are just fun to play with.

[Anonymous]

My kids love mathnasium . I love it because they don't do daily worksheets like kumon.

[Anonymous]

PP can you tell me more about mathnasium? How old are your children? I'm thinking of having my 9th grader do it because she has a terrible Algebra I teacher. We did kumon when she was in grade 3-5 and it really helped her know her facts. But, she ended up hating it and fought me every step of the way. Any info u can give would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!