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 them 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?
Math enrichment programmes are a great avenue for your child to have more focused attention, build on their strengths and work on their weaknesses, in order 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 options that are affordable.
- 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.
Math enrichment programmes help your child build on their strengths and reach their fullest potential.
How do you choose one that best suits your child’s needs? Do not worry because we have done the research for you!
Here are four very popular math enrichment programmes in Singapore and the areas in which they specialise in:
- Best Math Enrichment Programme for Heuristic Learning: Seriously Addictive Mathematics (S.A.M)
- Best Math Enrichment Programme for Independent Learning: Kumon
- Best Math Enrichment Programme for Multi-Model Learning: MPM
- Best Math Enrichment Programme for Blended Learning: Eye Level
Math Enrichment Programmes in Singapore
Best Math Enrichment Programme for Heuristic Learning: Seriously Addictive Mathematics (S.A.M)
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.
Today, S.A.M is the world’s largest Singapore Math enrichment programme for children 4 to 12 years old in 20 countries and counting.
The multi-award-winning S.A.M thinking math programme has helped children to not only excel in Math, but to also develop thinking and problem-solving skills.
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 towards 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 in math, problem-solving and thinking skills, self-discipline, and good study habits.
S.A.M helps children develop math mastery, thinking and problem-solving skills through interest and understanding
Features:
- Curriculum: From Singapore, 100% aligns with Singapore 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.
- Learning 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.
- Learning Plan: Students will be assessed at the start and each student will be given an individualised plan so he can learn at his own level and pace.
For more information about the math enrichment programme by Seriously Addictive Mathematics (S.A.M), click here.
Best Math Enrichment Programme for Independent Learning: Kumon
In 1954, Toru Kumon, a high school maths teacher in Japan, prepared his own 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 center 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 study from a point where they can do it easily, 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.
Kumon helps children develop advanced arithmetic skills beyond school grade level through independent learning.
Features:
- 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.
- Learning Process: Students will start at a low level to ensure they can manage self-directed learning. Students will repeat each worksheets a few times to ensure mastery before moving on to more advanced topics.
- Learning Attitudes: Students gain independence, build self-esteem and develop the ability to take on new challenges.
- Learning Plan: Students will be assessed at the start and each student will be given an individualised plan so he can learn at his own level and pace.
For more information about the math enrichment programme by Kumon, click here.
Best Math Enrichment Programme For Multi-Model Learning: MPM
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 through repetition and memorization.
With creative thinking mathematics, students are encouraged to think actively about different ways to approach and solve problems, as opposed to using rote memorization. This makes them directly participate in the learning process, and develop their skills for future applications.
MPM helps children develop creative and critical thinking through multi-process and multi-methods to solve a problem.
Features:
- 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, calculation skills while exploring problem-solving skills.
- Learning 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.
- Learning Plan: Students will be assessed at the start and each student will be given an individualised plan so he can learn at his own level and pace.
For more information about the math enrichment programme by MPM, click here.
Best Math Enrichment Programme for Blended Learning: Eye Level
Eye Level was founded in 1976 by Dr. Young Joong Kang in Seoul, South Korea. Today, it is in 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 of 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, master each concept through a small step approach, so they can develop critical and analytical skills. The students will have mastery in math through the benefits of blended offline and online learning.
Eye Level helps children develop basic thinking and critical thinking math skills through offline and online blended learning.
Features:
- 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.
- Learning Process: Students will start at a low level to ensure they can manage self-directed learning. Students will repeat each worksheets 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.
- Learning Plan: Students will be assessed at the start and each student will be given an individualised plan so he can learn at his own level and pace.
For more information about the math enrichment programme by Eye Level, click here.
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. Find out what each centre can offer a programme that best suits your child’s needs.
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Math Enrichment Programme
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Age Range
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Key Features
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Seriously Addictive Mathematics (S.A.M)
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4 to 12 years old
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- Math mastery, thinking skills and problem-solving heuristics
- Worksheets and fun, hands-on activities
- Instructor guidance
- Personalized learning
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Kumon
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3 to 13 years old and above
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- Advanced arithmetic and calculation skills
- Worksheets
- Self-directed learning
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MPM
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3 to 12 years old
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- Creative and critical thinking, calculation and problem-solving skills
- Worksheets and math manipulates
- Instructor guidance
- Independent and active learning
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Eye Level
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3 to 15 years old
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- Critical thinking and math skills
- Worksheets and interactive online games
- Instructor guidance
- Self-directed learning
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Are your kids enrolled with any of these math enrichment programmes for kids in Singapore? Share your experiences with us by leaving a comment.
References:
www.seriouslyaddictivemaths.com.sg/
www.sg.kumonglobal.com
www.myeyelevel.com/
sg.mpmmath.com/
