My Kumon Experience
Have you ever heard of Kumon and its teachings?
If you have not, and are pretty concerned about teaching your kid(s) yourself, then you may want to know more about it.
Personally I do like the concept. And I actually went to a Kumon Centre nearby my house, wanting to register my kids in it, when Miloboy is 5 years old. Got to know Kumon through his kindergarten teacher as she feels that it will be very good if he is enrolled in that programme.
So I made an appointment and took leave from work.
When we reached there, the kids went in for the assessment test, on the subjects you want them to enrol in. Afterthat, they let us into the centre and we had to sit through a video session and a powerpoint presentation…..its like a Registration Ceremony, kinda unwarranted.
I remember the appointment time is 3pm, my kids couldn’t tolerate the long “Registration Ceremony”. At 4.30pm, the presentation is still ongoing……we had to get out of the centre….. . When I had to leave, one of the staff told me the “individual assessment” will be conducted at 5pm, but I cannot come back here once I leave as it is not allowed. All parents had to sit through the presentation.
I can’t help it, my boy is hungry, my girl is crying and my baby is alone at home with her grandpa, who is unable to entertain her for too long…..
I tried to make another appointment but the staff told me its subject to availability of the Presenter, that they will call me up when they manage to get hold of the Presenter.
You may have guessed this right: They Never Call Me Up…..
What the Presenter did that day was:
1. Show all parents a video on how successful the Kumon teaching has on their students.
The assessment alone took about 45 mins. This video alone took about 30 mins. Quite unwarranted, if we are not interested, we won’t want to enrol our kids in there.
2. Powerpoint presentation
The initial slides should be DELETED. We dun need to know about KUMON’s history. Just tell us what is expected of us parents to make Kumon a wonderful programme. Yes, I listened to this for 15 mins before I had to leave the centre.
My Interpretation of the KUMON Programme:
1. Its all about Practice, Practice and Practice.
2. Parents have to spend 30 mins EVERYDAY with the enrolled kid to complete his kumon worksheet/booklet.
3. The timing requirement of the Kumon worksheets is good as it sort of “enforces” the kid to be well-versed, and complete the worksheet within time limit.
As I said, I personally do feel that Kumon is a wonderful teaching method. Although I dun have a good experience there. I actually tried to implement it since I am teaching Miloboy myself. The daily 30 mins is a very very good gauge. Talk about spending quality time with kids. These 30 mins of teaching can be quality time too!
