Junior Kumon parents please contribute- really want your input.

[Anonymous]

Amazing how small minded people are- they think parents who have their children do Kumon don't play at all. There are so many hours in a day, 7 days a week. Of course there is time to play too.

[Anonymous]

Kumon neysayers always wrestling with themselves and searing emotions of envy, spite, competition,and failure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At our "play-based" preschool, the teachers teach writing, counting, and other "academics" during the pre-K year. It's "play-based" but not all play; good balance between academic learning and lots of unstructured playground time/imaginary play.

Ours taught the abcs and counting to 20. That is not enough for today's k. Also, the kids did not have enough desk setting time which makes k a harder transition. Plus some kids, usually boys don't get enough fine motor practice. Our playbase school allowed the kids to choose so my kid never chose things involving fine motor. He was definitely behind. Kumon has helped and we have seen a ton of his classmates at kumon.

[Anonymous]

My child has been using Kumon for a while. We liked it at the beginning. It helped my child in math calculation skills. But over time, the benefit is no longer that visible and we feel more pressure on its monthly bills. Then we accepted the advice from our neighbor, and started to do the free worksheets on Beestar. To my surprise, she loves the 10 quick questions and it really helps kids thinking. Pretty great. Plus, I also don’t have to drive her to kumon, saving my $$ and time.
Lisa

[Anonymous]

These are serious questions (my kids are almost 3.5 years old)-

Do people use Kumon because they do not have time to work with their children at home or do people feel it is superior to working with your own children at home?

What reading and math levels do parents/schools expect a 5 year old to be at when they start school?

For people who use Kumon, do both parents work out of the home? What is your highest level of education (mother and father)?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Amazing how small minded people are- they think parents who have their children do Kumon don't play at all. There are so many hours in a day, 7 days a week. Of course there is time to play too.

really? many hrs in a day?

SAH?

[Anonymous]

Why is the idiot writing a novella?

Anonymous wrote:

As the mother of a high school student and sister of a kindergarten teacher I warn you that this advance instruction often leads to boredom in the classroom come kingergarten because many students will not be as advanced as your child. This begets a whole set of issues. Bored child, frustrated parents, beleaguered teacher.

What is this goal of this advance instruction? What do you hope to accomplish by this leg up? As I often ask, where's the fire? Many schools do not differentiate in math until the upper grades, including some of the most selective privates.

Therefore, the brilliant solution you are proposing to avoid potential "boredom" in our stellar American elementary school systems is simply retard the academic and intellectual advancement of children to avoid "boredom" when they
enter the alluring ivy gates of our outstanding public and private elmentary and primary educational institutions in the D.C. area.

Now that we have yourexpert opinion as mother and sister of a kindergarten teacher. I wonder what a music, art or sports Coach would do with a 5-year-old advanced at the violin, lacrosse, soccer or swimming?

From your logic, this Coach would warn the parents that advance instruction often leads to boredom in the music classroom, pool or soccer field because many students will not be as advanced as your child...the problems this may beget for the child, Coach, music teacher are legion. Why advance. You would recommend restricting the child's instrument playing, time on the soccer field or swimming pool, time reading a book because of the "boredom" the child will certainly get being ahead of many other students.

Your solution is simply academic and intellectual retardation of the developing mind rather than stimulation, advancement and enrichment. This strategy will synchronise the child's progress to our wonderful and challenging elementary schools and teachers in the D.C. area.

Would you also recommend this solution for music and art teachers, lacrosse, tennis, soccer and swim coaches with young kids performing at much higher levels than their peers?

I appreciate your maternal instincts and philosphy regarding raising and educating children that are at a stage in life where their minds and bodies are so plastic and malleable (e.g., sponges) they take rapidly to all forms of stimulation and challenge. I am always struck by the children I visit in Africa and Europe speaking many languages (including English) before the age of 7 or 8. I rarely encounter this in the US and I would not discourage their exposure and learning of multiple languages simultaneously even if it means these kids will be far more advanced , linguistically,
than their American counterparts. The American standard is not de jure the gold standard. The D.C. area school
educational standard is not de jure the gold educational standard ... certainly not for my children. Is mathematics any different? Is reading any different? Is computer science any different? What are your recommendations for advanced 4 and 5-year-old swimmers, runners and musicians? if the wordadvanced disturbs you, it simply means these kids run and swim much, much faster than kids their own age. How should these kids avoid the boredom of running and swimming against snails?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the rush, and what does the "leg up" actually achieve? (and my kid is ahead in math without the worksheets or the $$$ spent)

Not being snarky -- I just don't get it.

insecure parents

By 3rd grade, kids basically catch up to each other. So the advanced prep at this stage is just silly.

You are helping to create a generation of kids who can't think critically, nor can they understand the basics of discourse, as all of their learning is rote.

pathetic parents

[Anonymous]

insecure parents

By 3rd grade, kids basically catch up to each other. So the advanced prep at this stage is just silly.

You are helping to create a generation of kids who can't think critically, nor can they understand the basics of discourse, as all of their learning is rote.

pathetic parents

by an envious parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the rush, and what does the "leg up" actually achieve? (and my kid is ahead in math without the worksheets or the $$$ spent)

Not being snarky -- I just don't get it.

insecure parents

By 3rd grade, kids basically catch up to each other. So the advanced prep at this stage is just silly.

You are helping to create a generation of kids who can't think critically, nor can they understand the basics of discourse, as all of their learning is rote.

pathetic parents

You realize that one has to learn the basics to have the foundation to read, do math, etc. Critical thinking is not important or possible for 3, 4, 5 yr olds but they do need to learn their numbers and letters, letter sounds/phonics, etc. which all have to be learned "rote." The reason most kids don't do well in read and math in the U.S. is b/c people like you seem to think rote learning is evil. They don't in Asia, they emphasize drilling in reading, writing/spelling, and math like times tables in the early grades so the basics become second nature. You can't think "critically" if you can't read.

[Anonymous]

That's why pilots and neurosurgeons are dummies --- rote learning. Why do these super smart housewives and other idiots entrust their transportation and health safety to a bunch of dummies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the rush, and what does the "leg up" actually achieve? (and my kid is ahead in math without the worksheets or the $$$ spent)

Not being snarky -- I just don't get it.

insecure parents

By 3rd grade, kids basically catch up to each other. So the advanced prep at this stage is just silly.

You are helping to create a generation of kids who can't think critically, nor can they understand the basics of discourse, as all of their learning is rote.

pathetic parents

You realize that one has to learn the basics to have the foundation to read, do math, etc. Critical thinking is not important or possible for 3, 4, 5 yr olds but they do need to learn their numbers and letters, letter sounds/phonics, etc. which all have to be learned "rote." The reason most kids don't do well in read and math in the U.S. is b/c people like you seem to think rote learning is evil. They don't in Asia, they emphasize drilling in reading, writing/spelling, and math like times tables in the early grades so the basics become second nature. You can't think "critically" if you can't read.

Young kids can reason. some parent you are

Put them in a montessori and watch them problem-solve by gravitating toward their strengths. They also learn the basics but in a very independent manner and at their own pace.

Place them in a play-based preschool and watch them develop in a well-rounded way, as they need to run and jump and move. They can learning counting through movement. They can identify letters by playing games.

Kumon is bullshit, hon. You can fool yourself all you like, but you're not creating a genius by having him sit on his ass for a few hours a week.

Don't preach to me, as I know of what I speak

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

insecure parents

By 3rd grade, kids basically catch up to each other. So the advanced prep at this stage is just silly.

You are helping to create a generation of kids who can't think critically, nor can they understand the basics of discourse, as all of their learning is rote.

pathetic parents

by an envious parent

not at all

In fact, I feel a bit superior, as I realize that I spend time with my children actually playing and talking and watching them around the yard after a day at preschool and elementary school.

I don't need Kumon to make me think I'm a good parent.

My kids are great. They're creative and self-sufficient and most importantly, resourceful. I doubt you can say that of your own.

You'll see. I teach so many "kumon/rote learning" kids who can't do a goddamn thing. The have no initiative, no leadership skills, and no critical thinking skills. They are book smart and life dumb.

If that's your idea of smart, then good for you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the rush, and what does the "leg up" actually achieve? (and my kid is ahead in math without the worksheets or the $$$ spent)

Not being snarky -- I just don't get it.

insecure parents

By 3rd grade, kids basically catch up to each other. So the advanced prep at this stage is just silly.

You are helping to create a generation of kids who can't think critically, nor can they understand the basics of discourse, as all of their learning is rote.

pathetic parents

You realize that one has to learn the basics to have the foundation to read, do math, etc. Critical thinking is not important or possible for 3, 4, 5 yr olds but they do need to learn their numbers and letters, letter sounds/phonics, etc. which all have to be learned "rote." The reason most kids don't do well in read and math in the U.S. is b/c people like you seem to think rote learning is evil. They don't in Asia, they emphasize drilling in reading, writing/spelling, and math like times tables in the early grades so the basics become second nature. You can't think "critically" if you can't read.

Young kids can reason. some parent you are

Put them in a montessori and watch them problem-solve by gravitating toward their strengths. They also learn the basics but in a very independent manner and at their own pace.

Place them in a play-based preschool and watch them develop in a well-rounded way, as they need to run and jump and move. They can learning counting through movement. They can identify letters by playing games.

Kumon is bullshit, hon. You can fool yourself all you like, but you're not creating a genius by having him sit on his ass for a few hours a week.

Don't preach to me, as I know of what I speak

Let me guess - your child is "spirited", and is too creative to sit down and do any paper and pencil tasks. Good thing you are not paying $125 a month for Kumon, you will probably need the money to redo your basement for your kids so that when they barely finish high school they can have a comfy place to play video games and hang out with their unmotivated friends.

[Anonymous]

...Young kids can reason. some parent you are

Put them in a montessori and watch them problem-solve by gravitating toward their strengths. They also learn the basics but in a very independent manner and at their own pace.

Place them in a play-based preschool and watch them develop in a well-rounded way, as they need to run and jump and move. They can learning counting through movement. They can identify letters by playing games.

Kumon is bullshit, hon. You can fool yourself all you like, but you're not creating a genius by having him sit on his ass for a few hours a week.

Don't preach to me, as I know of what I speak

Tut, tut. Drippling in jealousy and envy. What emotion!