Math Monkey at Trabuco Plaza

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[quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1236902836]



They only started Kumon this year in 4th and 5th grade. I don't think it would have work out so well prior to this year. I can see younger children becoming resentful towards math because of all the work going to Kumon entails.</blockquote>


My kids at my boys age (little over five), or even couple years older, IMO are too young for Kumon by my own experiences. I would go even further to say it is pretty much a waste. But my instict tells me you are right about kids might benefit from it when they are older. I believe, for most of us, the degree of difficulty in parent teaching increases dramatically when the kids get older. That is when you need someone else to step in. Sames goes golf, instruments, etc.



In terms of the need for Kumon. I don't think there is a right or wong answer. Some parents want their kids to do better, some parents had no choice since their kids are behind, or some parents are doing it just so they feel better themselves. But one thing is for sure: your kids' success is determined by so many factors. there MUST be a balance between soical skills and acadmeic skills. Very few geeks do very well in life.
 
[quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1236863536]I'm really quite shocked that a few of you can pull off tutoring your own children. Hats off to you. Without that Kumon instructor to report two times a week there is no way we would keep up the regime of doing math packets everyday. I guess you could say Kumon is our pricey math homework babysitter.</blockquote>


I am certainly not the expert in this field of parenting. I am however very observant. When parents can't tutor their young kids that will get much worse when the kids grow older. A huge problem is our society when kids think they know everything and disrespect their parents. If parents can't teach them ABC 123 now then forget about birth control later.



My daughter is almost 13. She lives in divorced households since 4. No tutoring and special classes. She managed her own schedule, school and livelihood supplies between 2 homes. Because we as parents have limited time with her the time is much cherished rather than taking it for granted. Tutoring and lessons are important time spending with her. She turns out fine and has a above 4.0 GPA at TUSD.
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1236904277]

If parents can't teach them ABC 123 now then forget about birth control later.</blockquote>


bkshopr, I am planning to tell my boys to have "protected fun" when they are at that age, and explain to them what will happen to all their toys, and the toys and cars they want to buy when "accident happens".
 
[quote author="irvine123" date=1236904862][quote author="bkshopr" date=1236904277]

If parents can't teach them ABC 123 now then forget about birth control later.</blockquote>


bkshopr, I am planning to tell my boys to have "protected fun" when they are at that age, and explain to them what will happen to all their toys, and the toys and cars they want to buy when "accident happens".</blockquote>


Protected fun is fine but importantly teach them sex is not a conquest but shared intimacy and respect between partners.
 
[quote author="SoCal78" date=1236905518]How quickly this thread went from math to sex.</blockquote>
This is what happen when there are men posting. Unfortunately most kids found sex more interesting than math!
 
[quote author="tmare" date=1236839159]I have been a math teacher for over 20 years. I have worked as both an intermediate and elementary curriculum specialist as well as a high school teacher trainer so I guess I know what I'm talking about when it comes to math education. I have to applaud all of you and your efforts to encourage your children's mathematical ability and interest. I am now entering a whole different world as I try to encourage my own children. ISM-I think you are doing the right thing by going with your child's own natural interest in math and focusing on the "fun" of math right now. Remember that math is learned everyday, in just about everything you do. The more you can make it real, the more effortless the academic, rote part of it will be for your kids. While I do not sit and have my four year write numbers, add them formally or drill him, I do try to seize every opportunity that comes up naturally for him. The past few months we have been doing "negotiations" for bedtime, I choose how many more minutes and he negotiates from there. He has learned more than, less than and in between very easily this way. All I can say, is to seize the "teachable moments" because too many of the moments in the classroom are artificial and forced. There is plenty of time for the rote memorization later and all of that is so much easier when children have developed number sense. Day after day I see kids with virtually no number sense because no one has encouraged their natural curiosity, these kids struggle in math and probably always will. Math is a day to day adventure, the more YOU see that, the more your kids will. You guys all have very lucky kids!</blockquote>


And ... don't forget the pancakes. Fun way to teach fractions with the measuring spoons & cups, esp. if you have to double the recipie. The pancakes are tasty too :).
 
I never actually said that I don't believe in places like Kumon. I think they definitely have their place. I also firmly believe in the need for students to actually memorize fact and practice. It is very traditional practice in Japan for students to learn the big concepts in math during regular school hours and the basics in another type of school after regular school hours. All I am actually saying is that the parents who take the extra time and effort to develop number sense (and common sense) in their children will see a much diminished need for a drill and kill approach.
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1236904277][quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1236863536]I'm really quite shocked that a few of you can pull off tutoring your own children. Hats off to you. Without that Kumon instructor to report two times a week there is no way we would keep up the regime of doing math packets everyday. I guess you could say Kumon is our pricey math homework babysitter.</blockquote>


I am certainly not the expert in this field of parenting. I am however very observant. When parents can't tutor their young kids that will get much worse when the kids grow older. A huge problem is our society when kids think they know everything and disrespect their parents. If parents can't teach them ABC 123 now then forget about birth control later.



My daughter is almost 13. She lives in divorced households since 4. No tutoring and special classes. She managed her own schedule, school and livelihood supplies between 2 homes. Because we as parents have limited time with her the time is much cherished rather than taking it for granted. Tutoring and lessons are important time spending with her. She turns out fine and has a above 4.0 GPA at TUSD.</blockquote>


That is quite a low blow. I can't believe you are insinuating that my children are disrespectful & unruly because we have a tutor. The Kumon program helps us to stay motivated and pace ourselves. I don't absolve myself from spending quality time with them because of the tutor. I would like to hear back from the parents that said they purchased the Kumon packets from the store and see if they really are keeping up with it on a daily basis.
 
I think I understand Bk fairly well and I know for certain that he was in no way saying anything about your kids, nor was he trying to say anything about your parenting skills or Kumon. He has a way of being misunderstood from time to time. Please don't take anything he said personally.l
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1236905620][quote author="SoCal78" date=1236905518]How quickly this thread went from math to sex.</blockquote>
This is what happen when there are men posting. Unfortunately most kids found sex more interesting than math!</blockquote>


1 + 1 = 3
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1236905368][quote author="irvine123" date=1236904862][quote author="bkshopr" date=1236904277]

If parents can't teach them ABC 123 now then forget about birth control later.</blockquote>


bkshopr, I am planning to tell my boys to have "protected fun" when they are at that age, and explain to them what will happen to all their toys, and the toys and cars they want to buy when "accident happens".</blockquote>


Protected fun is fine but importantly teach them sex is not a conquest but shared intimacy and respect between partners.</blockquote>


Just like math, "aha moments" doesn't come until you had practiced enough...
 
[quote author="tmare" date=1236906951]I think I understand Bk fairly well and I know for certain that he was in no way saying anything about your kids, nor was he trying to say anything about your parenting skills or Kumon. He has a way of being misunderstood from time to time. Please don't take anything he said personally.l</blockquote>


You may very well be correct. I don't know Bk. Whether his comments were directed at me or not, he was still drawing a correlation between using outside tutoring and unruly children which I disagree with.
 
[quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1236906670][quote author="bkshopr" date=1236904277][quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1236863536]I'm really quite shocked that a few of you can pull off tutoring your own children. Hats off to you. Without that Kumon instructor to report two times a week there is no way we would keep up the regime of doing math packets everyday. I guess you could say Kumon is our pricey math homework babysitter.</blockquote>


I am certainly not the expert in this field of parenting. I am however very observant. When parents can't tutor their young kids that will get much worse when the kids grow older. A huge problem is our society when kids think they know everything and disrespect their parents. If parents can't teach them ABC 123 now then forget about birth control later.



My daughter is almost 13. She lives in divorced households since 4. No tutoring and special classes. She managed her own schedule, school and livelihood supplies between 2 homes. Because we as parents have limited time with her the time is much cherished rather than taking it for granted. Tutoring and lessons are important time spending with her. She turns out fine and has a above 4.0 GPA at TUSD.</blockquote>


That is quite a low blow. I can't believe you are insinuating that my children are disrespectful & unruly because we have a tutor. The Kumon program helps us to stay motivated and pace ourselves. I don't absolve myself from spending quality time with them because of the tutor. I would like to hear back from the parents that said they purchased the Kumon packets from the store and see if they really are keeping up with it on a daily basis.</blockquote>


I am not directing my comments to you. I am just citing observations of people whom I have met several decades ago and how their children have turned out not meeting much of parents hope and the broadening of generation gap. I am sorry for not making my comments concise enough. I really do appreciate Irvine123 and Tmare for understanding me.
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1236910909][quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1236906670][quote author="bkshopr" date=1236904277][quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1236863536]I'm really quite shocked that a few of you can pull off tutoring your own children. Hats off to you. Without that Kumon instructor to report two times a week there is no way we would keep up the regime of doing math packets everyday. I guess you could say Kumon is our pricey math homework babysitter.</blockquote>


I am certainly not the expert in this field of parenting. I am however very observant. When parents can't tutor their young kids that will get much worse when the kids grow older. A huge problem is our society when kids think they know everything and disrespect their parents. If parents can't teach them ABC 123 now then forget about birth control later.



My daughter is almost 13. She lives in divorced households since 4. No tutoring and special classes. She managed her own schedule, school and livelihood supplies between 2 homes. Because we as parents have limited time with her the time is much cherished rather than taking it for granted. Tutoring and lessons are important time spending with her. She turns out fine and has a above 4.0 GPA at TUSD.</blockquote>


That is quite a low blow. I can't believe you are insinuating that my children are disrespectful & unruly because we have a tutor. The Kumon program helps us to stay motivated and pace ourselves. I don't absolve myself from spending quality time with them because of the tutor. I would like to hear back from the parents that said they purchased the Kumon packets from the store and see if they really are keeping up with it on a daily basis.</blockquote>


I am not directing my comments to you. I am just citing observations of people whom I have met several decades ago and how their children have turned out not meeting much of parents hope and the broadening of generation gap. I am sorry for not making my comments concise enough. I really do appreciate Irvine123 and Tmare for understanding me.</blockquote>


No hard feelings. I can't help to like you because you share two of my greatest interests-architecture and California history. :)
 
Are there any mass-commercialized programs for tutoring creative and persuasive writing skills? I have found that these skills are lost on the younger generations - along with any semblance of proper grammar.



OMG, TXT MSGS FTL!
 
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