How to Decide Whether to Use Kumon Math
Have you ever wondered if Kumon (Math Program, USA) would be a good fit for your elementary school child? This article will help you decide.
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How does Kumon help kids? Kumon focuses on getting kids to compute with lightning speed and robotic accuracy. Kids do timed worksheets with problems that focus primarily on one type of computation such as three digit subtraction until perfection is achieved. Kumon's secrete ingredient is daily practice. Few kids escape Kumon without learning that fifteen minutes of hard work every day can change your life. You will also be flabbergasted to realize that "smart" Kumon kids require much more repetition to obtain mastery, than "slow" kids are often given in public schools.
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Is the Kumon curriculum a good fit? Kumon Math focuses on computations not concepts. The program, created in Japan, does not track your state's curriculum. Nor does it do much "spiral" back review. Savvy public school parents in the USA see Kumon as an antidote to concept based "calculator and group project" public school curriculums which often offer about as much academic challenge as summer camp. If your child is not getting grade level concepts in class, however, then Kumon may not be a complete solution. Kumon worksheets assume that students will use traditional "old school" methodology for all operations. There are no "lattice" or other alternative calculation options built into the sheets such as those offered in curriculums such as Everyday Math (used by many public schools). Parents often consider this a real plus. Some struggling kids used to choices may resent being forced to go "old school." Other kids may find Kumon's singular approuch a great relief. Review Kumon's web site to make sure the curriculum meets your needs. Sample worksheets are available online. All Kumon worksheets are timed which can cause a small percentage of kids no end of counterproductive stress. Other negatives are the cost, the drive, and the emotional fall out associated with making your kid do it.
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What's in store for me? Kumon requires a monthly fee with a deposit (like with a gym, lazyness costs). You must get your child to Kumon twice a week for sessions that last one half an hour. You must make your child do Kumon worksheets on (all) the other days. Yes - Kumon will be joining you on family vacations. You must time and correct the work sheets. Making your child do Kumon often involves one or more of the following: being strict, engaging in a multitude of "conversations" about why math is important, giving rewards, and enduring a fair amount of whining. For some families a year or two of Kumon sets the stage for continued daily math at home thereafter.
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What's in store for your child? Your child will be expected to enter the Kumon center, sit down, shut up, and work (for ten minute periods - minimum). If the child needs help, she/he must ask politely and wait patiently. If your child makes a mistake, not only will he correct it, but he will also likely do the entire packet over (and over) in the days to come until he gets 100% within the time limit. Kumon is not a tutoring program. Help is given as needed by staff who may or may not have "knack" for making it fun or easy. Prizes and stamps given at some centers keep motivation up during the first month or two. In the end, however, one kid summed it up nicely stating: "The kid on the box isn't even smiling. THAT SHOULD BE A HINT TO YOU, MOM, ABOUT HOW FUN THIS IS." Of course, Kumon doesn't pretend to be an amusement park. The Kumon face is a "thinking" face not a "happy meal" face. In the end, hard work has benefits that your child will notice and respect.
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Consider these additional factors. Choose your Kumon center wisely. Since they are individually owned, there are often substantial differences between them. Visit all that are near you. Make sure the "open hours" are convenient. Try to pick a Kumon Center that is spacious, well lit, and well staffed (so your child doesn't wait around). Ask about air conditioning. Kumon in the sweltering heat is miserable beyond words. Make sure that the staff and the director have "good enough" English skills. Kumon staff members can range from teenagers to people with teaching or tutoring experience. Make sure the staff is a good match for your child. If you don't like what you see, try a different Kumon center.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are very busy, ask Kumon if they will correct the daily worksheets. If doing the corrections yourself is a "deal braker" let them know. If you have more than one child enrolled you do have some leverage here.
Insist that Kumon provide you with an answer book so that you don't have to do each problem yourself.
Kumon centers are individual franchises. Each one sets its own schedule and open hours. Franchisees don't like transfers and sometimes the transfer will you cost extra. Let the person in charge know that you may have to switch if your schedule changes. This way he/she won't take switches personally.
Kumon is not designed to spot or deal with learning differences or disabilities. Many people come to Kumon seeking a simple solution to problems that are much more complex then they realize. Kumon won't turn you away, so it is your job to invest the time and money into figuring out what's going wrong, why it's happening and whether Kumon is likely to help or hurt.
