What are the best math enrichment programmes for your child?

Best math programmes for kids in Singapore

Mathematics.

One simple but crucial word when it comes to a child’s education. A good understanding of mathematical concepts teaches children important mental skills such as logical and critical thinking.

Learning about money, calculating percentages and understanding fractions in early elementary grades will teach kids practical life skills such as computing their taxes and following a recipe when they are adults.

Needless to say, it is next to impossible to live an independent life without math.

These days, parents are spoiled for choice when it comes to math enrichment programmes. But having so many math programmes out there can also be overwhelming.

How do you choose one that best suits your child’s needs? To make your task a bit easier, we present you information on 4 very popular math programmes here in Singapore:

• Seriously Addictive Mathematics (S.A.M)
• Kumon
• MPM (Multi Process Model)
• E.nopi (now known as Eye Level Math)

Seriously Addictive Mathematics (S.A.M)

Seriously Addictive Mathematics (also known as S.A.M), is a math learning programme from Singapore that offers a unique curriculum for kids aged 4 to 12 years old.

The S.A.M programme is designed based on the Singapore Mathematics curriculum, which is one of the most successful math programmes in the world – according to the Trends in International Maths & Science Study (TIMMS) survey.

S.A.M offers over 30,000 pages of ‘step up’ worksheets and lessons are conducted by a team of qualified trainers. This makes S.A.M one of the most comprehensive programmes for Singapore Maths, and it was even awarded The Best Mathematics Programme by Parents World magazine.

S.A.M uses The Worksheet Experience and The Classroom Experience to help kids master the Singapore Math syllabus.

Benefits of Seriously Addictive Mathematics (S.A.M)

• Under the Worksheet Experience, kids will get to practice self-discipline and independent learning through a designated study time at home.
• The workload and level of difficulty for each child are carefully assigned to make sure that the learning process is kept challenging and fun, according to their ability.
• Trainers will interact with kids through dialogue, asking questions, props, games and through words of encouragement – which makes lesson time fun and interactive.
• Through their interaction with the kids in class, trainers will assess how each of them is coping with the worksheets. This allows them to look out for problem areas that need to be worked on and keep the progress of each child in check.
• S.A.M equips your child with skills that will help him/her perform well in maths. These include Critical Thinking, Heuristics, Logical Reasoning, Metacognitive Understanding, Modelling Techniques and Situational Word Problems.

For more information about Seriously Addictive Mathematics (S.A.M), click here.

Kumon method

The founder of the Kumon Education and Research Association of Japan, Toru Kumon, created the Kumon method in 1954 to help his eldest son, who struggled with math at school.

In 1978, the first Kumon center was opened in Osaka, Japan; in 1990, the first Kumon Institute of Education was opened. Now, there are more than 7,500 Kumon centers around the world in 25 countries, with over 2.5 million students.

What is the Kumon method?

The Kumon method is an individualised learning method. The starting point for students depends on their ability to achieve a perfect score through individual study.

Advocates of this method believe that if students continue to study at their own pace, they will catch up with their school level and soon advance far beyond it.

Benefits

• Starting at an appropriate level of understanding means your child will start to love learning math.
• Your child progresses at his or her own pace.
• Parents play a very important role in the Kumon method.
• Your child will eventually be able to advance beyond school grade level.
• Your child develops the ability of self-learning, which is a great study habit.
• Your child develops reading comprehension, strong calculation and analytical ability, which are essential skills to solve problem sums.

Kumon in Singapore

According to information on the Kumon website, the Kumon Math system definitely supplements the Singapore education system, eventually helping kids undertake the self-study of senior high school math with ease. For more information on Kumon in Singapore, click here.

Multi-Process Model (MPM) math system

MPM is a math system designed around the concepts of Multi-Process and Multi-Concept mathematics. MPM has been around since 1989 and has more than 100,000 students around the world.

Similar to Kumon, this system is personalised to each student and focuses on self-learning with minimum intervention from instructors. MPM prides itself on helping students to develop their skills in problem-solving and independent logical thinking.

Students work with MPM to solve problems in Algebra, Geometry, Coordinate Plane, and various areas of math. What’s more, learning math is made fun so kids understand math concepts without pressure.

MPM goals and advantages

• It promotes problem-solving skills through the development of independent and creative thinking.
• It encourages an active self-learning attitude in your child through a Personalized System of Learning (PSL).
• It strengthens your child’s self-confidence by continuously challenging the new and the unknown.
• It encourages your child to enjoy learning math.

For information on MPM in Singapore, click here. You can also download sample MPM worksheets for your kids here.

E.nopi (Eye Level Learning) maths system

The E.nopi supplementary educational system (now known as Eye Level Learning) was founded in 1976 by Dr Young Joong Kang in Korea.

The Eye Level Learning program consists of:

• Math, including Basic and Critical Thinking Math
• English, including reading, writing, speaking and listening
• Korean

Eye Level Learning has over 2 million students in 16 countries, including Singapore. This system, like Kumon and MPM, is based on an educational principle where students learn at their own pace.

The Eye Level system believes that when a teacher understands the learning needs of a student, then teaching becomes effective. Eye Level Math focuses on helping kids improve their problem-solving skills by using a “small-step” approach.

Eye Level Math combines Basic Thinking and Critical Thinking math that encourages students to master math concepts.

Benefits of Eye Level Math

• It provides systematic study materials for all levels, based on your child’s abilities.
• It uses study materials that helps your child develop the ability to solve problems alone.
• It uses an interactive teaching method that includes proactive feedback and open communication between students, teachers and parents.
• It helps your child develop critical and analytical thinking skills.
• It equips your child with the ability to use his/her skills in all areas of study.

For more information about Eye Level Math in Singapore, click here.

S.A.M vs Kumon vs MPM vs E.nopi 

So parents, faced with the choice of S.A.M vs Kumon vs MPM vs E.nopi, what would you choose?

While all 4 systems focus on encouraging self-learning in kids, the best way to decide on one would be to speak to a representative from each learning centre. Find out what each centre can offer that best suits your child’s abilities.

Also, speak to your child’s teachers at school. They should be able to gauge whether your child needs the help of a supplementary math system. They also might be able to recommend which system will help nurture your child’s natural talent.

Are your kids enrolled with any of these math programmes for kids? Share your experiences with us by leaving a comment.

References:

http://www.seriouslyaddictivemaths.com.sg/

www.myeyelevel.com/Local/#globalMenuView

www.mpmmath.us/whatismpm.html

www.sg.kumonglobal.com/