Thanks to MVM Amy Gelber who has kindly written the following…..
The lines have been drawn, and the war of words between the Tiger Mothers and the Serenity Parents has been writ large across the national media of late. Is your child’s academic fate pre-determined by their allocation from gene pool, or can you hope to improve their lot in life by giving them opportunities and ambition?
My own parenting philosophy is probably more feline than fatalistic, although I hope I am more of a pussy cat of a parent than a full blown predatory tiger mother. My daughter may be just three years old, but I have already been faced with a vast array of choices regarding her ‘pre-school education’. From the bewildering array of mum and toddler classes, to working out whether to pursue football or tennis or swimming or gymnastics, it can be hard not to feel overwhelmed with choice. Will Mini Mozart really help to turn your six month old into a musical prodigy? Are French classes for two year olds the first step on the road to a university degree in Modern Languages? So many decisions to make before you even start to tackle the minefield that is primary school education…
And yet there was still another activity that kept creeping back into my consciousness every time I saw the sandwich board outside the Amadeus Centre on Shirland Road, where Kumon takes place every Monday and Tuesday afternoon. I’d heard of Kumon – but I didn’t really know what it was. I decided to find out more, and took on a job as an assistant at the twice weekly Kumon sessions.
This Japanese originated system of study skills coaching has become increasingly popular in recent years. The Kumon method helps to build basic skills in maths and English through a system of daily worksheets. Each child’s level is assessed on enrolment, and is constantly re-assessed every time they attend a weekly Kumon session. There, they complete a worksheet in either English or Maths (or both). The worksheet is marked, and help is given with any corrections that need carrying out. The child is then sent away with enough worksheets to complete until the following Kumon session.
This Maida Vale venue for Kumon is inspiring in itself. The big galleried hall at The Amadeus Centre buzzes with concentrated activity, while parents and carers can sit in a comfortable room downstairs and help themselves to a coffee while waiting for their child.
The great thing about Kumon is that it can help any child from any academic
background to improve their skills. The workload is manageable – on average 15-20 minutes per subject per day, and parents/carers also have an important role to play in marking the homework. Progress is steady, and within a year of starting the programme, the average Kumon student will end up with skills that are at least one academic year ahead of their non Kumon peers.
The children I have come across at Kumon seem happy, focused and above all ambitious to do well. The programme can be started at the age of three, and the material goes up to A Level and beyond.
Kumon sessions run year round, and Kumon St John’s Wood (which is based at the Amadeus Centre) is currently offering a special promotion for July and August. If you register before the end of June, you will receive a 20% discount off your first month’s fees (normally £55 per month for a single subject, or £100 for both maths and English.) If you wish to enrol more than one child, the registration fee for the second and subsequent children will also be waived.
The summer is a great time to get your children started with Kumon, when they are under less pressure from school work and other activities.
If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Rakhee on 07939 525444 / 020 7419 0450 or email stjohnswood@kumoncentre.co.uk and mention Maida Vale Mums to get your summer discount.
