4 Top Math Enrichment Programmes and 3 Other Class Options

To help parents and students prepare for important exams like PSLE math, we compiled the top 4 math enrichment programmes in Singapore. We also included 3 other great class options that help enhance and improve your child's skills in math.

Mathematics--some love it, others hate it. No matter which side of the fence you are on, there is no doubt that it is important we ensure our children build a strong foundation in the subject early on. In primary school, our children build on their numeracy skills as they learn about measurements, percentages, calculations as well as patterns and shapes.

While we understand that math is crucial in our day-to-day lives, helping our primary schoolers with their math homework often ends in frustration and tears. Some concepts are difficult for us to explain and hard for us to grasp, so let's try not to blame ourselves!

Best Math Enrichment Programmes For Kids in Singapore

S.A.M vs Kumon vs MPM vs Eye Level: Which of these math programmes for kids is best for your child? Fortunately, we're here to help you find out!

Math enrichment programmes are a great avenue for your child to have more focused attention, build their strengths and work on their weaknesses, to reach their fullest potential. 

They help your child remain engaged and interested in learning. These programmes allow your child to work at a pace and level they are most comfortable with, thereby fostering a positive learning attitude.  

Enrolling your child in these programmes will challenge them to excel and most importantly, develop important critical and analytical skills that they can use in solving math problems and beyond. In addition, they will also benefit from an increased understanding of themselves, as well as have higher motivation.

What to Look For in Selecting Math Enrichment Programmes

These days, parents are spoiled for choice when it comes to math enrichment programmes in Singapore. But having so many programmes out there can also make you feel overwhelmed. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the appropriate programme for your child.

• Your child’s needs or learning style. Does your child enjoy interactive activities or excel in doing worksheets? Do they benefit from one-on-one coaching or are they better at learning on their own? These are things you must consider when selecting an enrichment programme.

• Affordability: Enrolling your child in a math enrichment programme doesn’t mean that you have to break the bank! There are great affordable options.

• Location: How far is the enrichment centre from your house or your child’s school? Do not forget that convenience is key. Find a centre that is easy for your child to commute to.
• Schedule: Kids nowadays seem to be busier than we think. If your little one’s after-school schedule is already filled with other enrichment programmes like music, swimming, or dance class, be sure to check that the enrichment centre offers a schedule that matches your child’s availability.

How do you choose one that best suits your child’s needs? Do not worry because we have done the research for you! Below, we listed the top 4 popular math enrichment programmes in Singapore and the areas in which they specialise.

4 Top Math Enrichment Programmes in Singapore

To further learn about the top math enrichment in Singapore, we listed the specialities and information about the different centres. We encourage parents to check this out before enrolling their children on classes.

The top 4 centres boast offering the most sought classes and programmes for math enrichment in Singapore. However, we also encourage parents to check out the 3 alternative math enrichment centres that your children can try out. With this, you can gauge what form of enrichment or speciality your child needs for math.

Seriously Addictive Mathematics (S.A.M): Heuristic Learning

In 2010, Samuel Chia and Lau Chin Loong founded Seriously Addictive Mathematics, or S.A.M, in Singapore. They saw the challenges faced by children in school systems with large class sizes and a one-size-fits-all approach. So they came up with a learning programme to help children learn math better, where the proven Singapore Math curriculum is delivered through personalised learning in a small class size.

S.A.M’s programme complements Singapore schools' curriculum with a two-pillared approach of hands-on classroom engagement and comprehensive worksheet reinforcement to develop interest and mastery in math.

It is fun, with hands-on activities and a coaching approach, which includes probing questions and a lot of encouragement. This helps students explore, discover and build confidence in math.

The S.A.M worksheets are created by a team of former Singapore school teachers and textbook publishers, with tasks that are comprehensive, varied and incrementally advanced. This way,  learning is kept challenging yet achievable, to keep children motivated.

Through guided practice in class and independent practice at home, children develop mastery of math, problem-solving and thinking skills, self-discipline, and good study habits.

Additional Details to Know

• Curriculum: From Singapore, 100% aligns with Singapore's MOE syllabus.
• Focus: Develop math mastery, thinking, and problem-solving skills through interest and understanding.
• Teaching Method: Students learn new concepts through fun, hands-on activities with personal coaching from instructors. Problem-solving heuristics are explicitly taught in worksheets and students develop strong math foundation and thinking skills.
• Process: Students will start at an appropriate level using worksheets with comprehensive and varied math problems instead of repetition and rote memorization. 
• Learning Attitudes: Students develop interest, confidence, good study habits and a positive attitude towards learning.

Kumon: Independent Learning

In 1954, Toru Kumon, a high school maths teacher in Japan, prepared his learning materials and study method to help his son Takeshi, whose test results were not as good as they usually were.

In 1978, the first Kumon centre was opened in Osaka, Japan. Today, Kumon is the world’s largest after-school learning programme, with over 4 million students in more than 50 countries.

Kumon is suitable for students with different learning capabilities, as its individualised and empowering learning method is tailored to your child’s ability, not their age.

Using the Kumon method, the students learn by doing the worksheets independently without being taught. The method also lets students begin their studies from a point where they can do it easily. They then advance to the next worksheets without difficulty.

Kumon aims for each student to maintain their optimum level of developing academic and self-learning ability. This way, it makes it possible for them to advance to studying high school-level material at an early age.

Additional Details to Know

• Curriculum: From Japan, based on the Kumon syllabus.
• Focus: Develop advanced arithmetic skills beyond school grade level through independent learning.
• Teaching Method: Students self-learn new concepts independently using worksheets with minimal guidance from instructors. Students learn using worksheets to develop arithmetic and calculation skills required for secondary school-level advanced maths and calculus.
• Process: Students will start at a low level to ensure they can manage self-directed learning. Students need to repeat each worksheet a few times to ensure mastery. Afterwards, they move on to more advanced topics.
• Learning Attitudes: Students gain independence, build self-esteem and develop the ability to take on new challenges.

MPM: Multi-Model Learning

MPM stands for Multi-Process and Multi-Model: Multi-Process to solve a complex problem through simple steps, and Multi-Model to solve a problem through different methods. 

It was developed in 1987 by Roger Chang, a father and a computer engineer in Taiwan. Today, it is the largest supplementary education provider for ages 2 to 18 years old in Taiwan. There are also more than 1,000 MPM centres around the world.

MPM champions creative thinking mathematics and believes that the knowledge and ability of every student is not learned by rote, but enhanced through active thinking.

In MPM, learning math starts from the special training of a child’s calculation ability. They also emphasize understanding of questions rather than repetition and memorisation. 

With creative thinking mathematics, students are encouraged to think actively about different ways to approach and solve problems, as opposed to using rote memorisation. This makes them directly participate in the learning process, and develop their skills for future applications.

Additional Details to Know

• Curriculum: From Taiwan, contains the syllabus of Taiwan, Singapore, Canada and the United States.
• Focus: Develop creative and critical thinking through multi-process and multi-methods to solve a problem.
• Teaching Method: Students will solve exercises independently and instructors will provide guidance when students have questions. Students learn using worksheets and math manipulates and are trained in concepts, and calculation skills while exploring problem-solving skills.
• Process: Students will explore various methods and understand the approach and problems completely rather than through repetition and memorization.
• Learning Attitudes: Students will learn actively rather than rote memorization and develop a positive and independent attitude.

Eye Level: Blended Learning 

Eye Level was founded in 1976 by Dr Young Joong Kang in Seoul, South Korea. Additionally, more than 20 countries and has served more than 2.5 million children. 

At Eye Level, they give importance to understanding children’s point of view, or what they call children’s “eye level education” to let them learn at their own pace.

Eye Level’s main thrust is their 1:1 coaching, providing an individualized program to meet each student at eye level. The program aims to establish self-directed learning habits, build strong academic foundations, and increase the child’s motivation and joy in learning. 

Because traditional teaching is based on mass education, it’s hard for children to be motivated once they fall behind or if they have different learning habits Eye Level Math covers the basics of numbers, all the way through critical thinking math such as algebra and statistics. They will learn the foundation in 5 fundamental areas of math.

They then master each concept through a small-step approach to further develop critical and analytical skills. The students also learn mastery of math through the benefits of blended offline and online learning.

Additional Details to Know

• Curriculum: From Korea, based on Eye Level syllabus. 
• Focus: Develop basic thinking and critical thinking math skills through offline and online blended learning.
• Teaching Method: Instructors will provide guidance on new concepts followed by students’ self-directed learning. Students learn using worksheets and use supplemental materials for problem-solving, followed by additional practice through online questions and fun, interactive online games.
• Process: Students will start at a low level to ensure they can manage self-directed learning. Students will repeat each worksheet a few times to ensure mastery before moving on to more advanced topics.
• Learning Attitudes: Students will take ownership of their own learning leading to more confidence.

S.A.M vs Kumon vs MPM vs Eye Level

So parents, faced with these four choices, which would you choose?

It is best to speak to a representative from each centre to find out how the math programmes for kids can benefit your child.

While all four systems focus on encouraging self-learning in kids, the best way to decide on one would be to speak to a representative from each enrichment centre. You also need to find out what each centre that best suits your child’s needs.

This article was updated by Kaira De la Rosa.