In today’s competitive world, parents are constantly seeking ways to give their children an edge in their education. One renowned program that has been gaining popularity is Kumon Singapore.
As the largest after-school learning program in the world, Kumon has earned a stellar reputation among parenting groups.
By focusing on personalised learning and nurturing a child’s ability rather than age or school grade, Kumon empowers students to reach their full potential.
Kumon Singapore, the learning centre, is often debated on parenting and education forums. But, why does it incite so much dialogue? And why do people have such a love/hate relationship with it?
What is Kumon Singapore?
Kumon Singapore: Why It Is the Right Fit for Your Child?
The Kumon Method is an individualised learning method. This is a place where your child will attend classes with several other students; and each student in the class might be doing different assignments best suited to their ability.
Students start with the level where they can attain a perfect score by studying on their own.
Each student will then be given a set of worksheets to work on for the rest of the week. The worksheets given have been designed in a way that allows students to figure out how to solve problems on their own.
It is, however, usually up to the parents to make sure that their child completes the daily exercises.
The Liberating Approach of the Kumon Method
Traditional education often revolves around comparing students to their peers. Kumon takes a different approach by encouraging self-improvement and personal growth.
Students are challenged to surpass their limitations, providing a liberating experience that fosters a genuine love for learning.
Developing Essential Life Skills
Every parent desires their child to possess certain life skills to contribute to their future success. Research conducted by Blackbox in 2018, commissioned by Kumon, highlighted five crucial skills parents value:
- Building Confidence: Kumon encourages students to speak up and ask questions, fostering a brave and curious mindset.
- Communication Skills: Interacting with peers, teachers, and parents enables children to express their thoughts, discuss problems, and seek solutions effectively.
- Social Skills: Making friends and socialising helps build valuable networks for the future.
- Self-Motivation and Independence: Kumon instills the importance of education and cultivates self-discipline, enabling students to study without external pressure.
- Passion for Learning: Kumon ensures that studying never becomes a chore but a stimulating pursuit. By enjoying the subject matter, students are motivated to excel.
Empowering Through the Kumon Method
Kumon Singapore: Why It Is the Right Fit for Your Child?
Kumon provides a nurturing environment for children to explore their abilities and grow. Specially designed worksheets enable students to progress in small steps tailored to their “Just-Right” level of learning.
This personalised approach ensures steady advancement and the development of essential skills, such as independent self-learning.
Unveiling Your Child’s Potential
The Kumon journey begins with a complimentary Parents Orientation, where the child’s current abilities are assessed through the Kumon Diagnostic Test.
Based on the results, a study projection chart allows parents to track their child’s progress and milestones effectively.
Kumon classes are held twice weekly without time constraints on completing worksheets, reducing stress for time-sensitive children.
Take-home worksheets further reinforce learning, providing an opportunity to apply acquired knowledge.
With self-corrections and access to teacher guidance, students learn to learn independently, recognise mistakes, and seek assistance when necessary.
Charting Progress and Growth
Kumon’s system fosters self-confidence as students observe their steady progress weekly.
Progression is documented and shared with parents through the study projection chart and regular communication with the Kumon instructor.
The instructor tailors instruction based on progress rates, ensuring optimal growth.
Expanding Horizons with Kumon Singapore
Kumon offers curricula in English, Mathematics, and Mandarin for students from preschool to pre-university levels.
Starting early with Kumon strengthens a child’s learning foundation, supporting their future academic endeavors.
Regardless of the starting point, Kumon allows students to progress at their own pace, surpassing their current school grades and achieving exceptional results.
An Inclusive Learning Environment
Kumon prides itself on inclusivity, catering to students with various needs, such as autism, dyslexia, hearing impairments, and Global Developmental Delay.
Collaboration with parents allows for specific arrangements, ensuring an optimal learning environment for every child.
Exploring the Kumon Method
To learn more about how the Kumon Method can enhance your child’s life skills, register for a complimentary Parents Orientation at your preferred Kumon Centre.
Monthly fees of $140 per subject cover both class and home practice materials, providing comprehensive support.
Kumon offers English, Mathematics, and Mandarin courses, empowering children across different disciplines.
Now that you know what Kumon is, we break down the good, the bad, and sometimes ugly aspects of this world-famous enrichment class.
These pros and cons will help you evaluate Kumon before you consider it the best option for your child.
The Price Factor in Kumon Singapore
Good: At $120 a month for 8 sessions, the Kumon Singapore programme is affordable as you pay approximately $15 per session.
Franchise Factor
Good: Being a franchise, you can literally find a Kumon centre all over Singapore. This means that your child would not have to travel too far to get their Kumon lessons in. It is a definite plus in terms of convenience.
Bad: However, being a franchise means that the quality of the teachers will vary from centre to centre. What does this mean for your child?
A child at a ‘better’ Kumon Singapore centre might have a better experience than, let’s say, a child who attends an average centre.
In this sense, it’s all about luck when choosing a centre for your child, since Kumon is so inconsistent with quality.
The Learning Factor in Kumon Singapore
Good: Kumon works on the basis of fostering self-learning (along with self-discipline). It includes another type of method called rote learning, which means learning or memorising through constant repetition.
Bad: What this means is that lessons can get boring. This is especially true for those who have been in the system for a longer period of time.
The worksheets the students do are standard, and although the equations change, the teaching mode doesn’t. This type of learning can bore a student and, in turn, make them start resenting lessons.
There you have it! The good, the bad, and the ugly–when it comes to Kumon. Kumon Singapore definitely has a lot going for it. However, enrolling a child heavily depends on a case-by-case basis. It may be ideal for some and a waste of money for others.
Tell us what you think about Kumon and if it is something that you would consider for your child.
Check out the story of one child who was enrolled in Kumon, and see if this is for your child:
https://youtu.be/4Km3mldXNhA
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