Math Enrichment - which one is better?

I have got questions from concerned moms about which Math enrichment is better for their kids. When I first started to ask the same question myself a few years back, the choices I had were not so broad. It was then either Kumon, Enopi or UCMAS. I gave my opinion in my earlier post. To my surprise, I got quite a high visit rate there. Then again, why should I be. All parents want the best for the kids. Especially first timers, we need to get more info before we decide. I'm no first timer now that I have 3 precious kids. And the options have widen, there are more Math enrichment out there. One of the latest hit is Math Monkey.

Math Monkey claims the mathematical techniques of Vedic Math. Another jargon? Well they call it a collective name for a set of 16 Sanskrit sutras or formulas all the way from old days in Vedic period of 1500 to 800 BC. Still jargon? It still is to me. Basically it means using logical reasoning to work out problems mentally and quickly. I got this from their website. What do they really teach? I'm actually quite interested to find out. Could be a marketing hook but no harm finding out. I meant to do so for a while but I asked myself, will I stop Enopi for my sons. They too are learning Math without counting. And Enopi also have this part they call the 'Critical Thinking Math' which teaches kids about problem solving too. I dare say that because of Enopi, Ryan is one of the best in Math in his class so far even though other subjects need improvement. In fact, his teacher was quite upset with him a while back for shouting out the answer before she could finish writing the question on the board. I really don't want to shake the firm ground he is in. So far, it has proven to work.

Actually, I hear similar successes about kids who attend Kumon. They are also fantastic in Math. Is it really then the question of which one is better? Kumon? Enopi? UCMAS? Math Monkey? What else? Here is what I think:

1. We can start choosing which concept we like best for our children when we first START.
2. Which one is better? Each sings their own successes. So it really boils down to which one you like...and which one our kids like. Different kids work with different approaches. Mine worked with Enopi. And I believe, each has its own advantages.
3. Once started and results are good, why change? It's just like we cook a big pot of delicious ABC soup but half way through, decided to go for old cucumber soup. It's really back pedaling.
4. Should we add on? Already school homework is piling. Enopi has homework too. Now again Math Monkey. Besides confusing the heck out of him, he will be a mighty stressed kid.
5. Should we change later? Depends. On the kid. If he gets bored, then it's time for fresh air.

Bottom line, I want my kids to be good in Math. It is the fundamental requirement for a lot of topical studies later. It is so very important. I wouldn't say that I'm personally fantastic at it but I'm not weak either. When I was schooling, I was in Science stream taking up Modern Math and Add Math. In college I did a double Math Economics. And university, I crazily went for Mathematical Science in the 1st year until I find that it was more useful had I been in Engineering stream. I worked on Commerce instead. Not far off. But the concept is good. A lot of logical thinking I use came from Math fundamental. It helps. And I want it to work on my kids too.

One thing that I have learnt even up till now is that noone ... or maybe some genius... are born Math gifted. Despite my Math background, I was hopeless with numbers in my earlier employment days. Till I got involved in Analytics. It was then I realised that it is all about practice. Why am I saying this? I'm seeing the light :) haha! Math is trainable. It needs constant practice which Kumon and Enopi recognise. It keeps the mind fast and active. I noticed mine was rather stale :( haha! So what am I saying really? One big circle just to say... Math no matter the method or concept, it needs practice. No brainer, right! Sigh! Must be getting late and sleepy. And getting old... just wanna cerita my younger days :p

So getting back to topic. I will still satisfy my curiosity by finding out Math Monkey and some other hot ones in the market. And I'll share just as soon as I have more info. For my sons, they started with Enopi, they continue with Enopi... tested and proven at least with Ryan and Raymund is getting there.

Here is the qualifier.... I'm not saying one is better than the other despite the lack of info. Just which one my kids and I like at this moment.

Good night!

Odonata series ... Chinese version of Peter and Jane

I just bought the 5th series of Odonata series and to my sons, they call them the Ming Ming and Li Li books. I talked about this before. That was when I first started Ryan on these books. It was the boy's tuition teacher who first introduced the books to them. I found them good and useful. Thanks to her :).

Since Ryan started on them not too long ago, he is still at the pre-school series... which tells simple stories around two kids by the name of 眀眀 (Ming Ming) and 丽丽(Li Li). Actually according to the books, this 1st series of 8 books is suitable for kids aged as young as 2-4 years. In my case, it's never too late. Very visual with lots of colors. My boys love them. They have CDs to teach kids how to pronounce as well as workbook for practice but I didn't get them since I have our tuition teacher to help them.

Ryan is on the 2nd series already. Raymund is almost half way through the 1st. Each series promises that the child will know and recognise 100 characters once he is through with it. I hope so. At least my sons can read more than they can talk in Chinese. Definitely better than not at all. It is another matter when it comes to oral. That's for Ryan to rough it out in his primary school now. They are so banana! Sigh!

Here are the rest of pre-school series.

200 words

500-800 words

900-1200 words

I have gotten till the 500 words series. The books aren't thick else I would think they will scare of kids. Mine would! But the repetitive learning is sufficient to encourage word recognition. Most of all, it ain't expensive. I got mine from the Popular bookstore. I'm a member of Popular since I get a lot of my kids' books and stationery supplies there. With 10% for members, each book is only RM5! Cheap and good! I intend to get them all but I noticed that Popular does not have the complete set.... perhaps they are replenishing?

I like collecting books. Even children's. I notice that Ryan takes after me. His precious ones are the children encyclopedia series published by Parragon Books Ltd. Again I got them at Popular too :). Only RM29.90 each. He calls them his Science books. He loves telling people that he knows Science and that ... he knows a lot of things. I encourage him definitely. He has 4 of these already. He is pestering me to get the one about Body now. Told me he wants to become a doctor when he grows up :) Phew!

I collect children books also as I said. The intend is to pass from boy to boy and then my girl. Of course, I also like to see our mini library grow :). No regrets really.. and I would say the investment is worth it. I just forgot to mention... I just found the Odonata official website and they offer online sales. That was when I notice that they carry a lot more .. from primary up till secondary. Along the way, there are also varieties like comics and literatures. If I can't find them at Popular, I just might go online.

http://www.odonatabooks.com/index.asp

If any mom out there who has banana kids like I do and like me, who is Chinese illiterate, hope this helps :). My boys are taking baby steps forward with Chinese ... and look at it this way, they are going forward :)

Happy Chinese New Year!

Favoring sons

What happens when you notice that some people (I'm not gonna mention who and no, it's not my mom) favors your boys more than your girl? Call me sensitive but I do notice...not once. Perhaps you can say, that it is easier to play with my boys but I notice the contact to my girl is less. How would a 2-year old little girl understands. That is why she is closer to some and not the rest. She knows it too.

I love ALL my kids. Of course, I particularly manja my youngest and my only girl. That does not mean I love my 2 sons any less. I get upset when I see 1 disadvantaged. Of course, you can say that it will be enough for her that her parents love her. But is it really? When she sees it for herself the subtle different treatment? And when she grows up and understands more? Gosh, I really don't like it.

Gong Xi Fa Chai!!

Happy New Year to all!

Every new year makes me think of days of childhood when CNY was something that I was looking forward too. My family would go to my grandparent's house for tuen nien dinner. There were so many people. My grandparents had 9 kids and all married, and some with children. Easily more than 25 people in a moderate double storey terrace house. What's fun? It was actually the noise. The noise of us children playing. The noise of the adults chattering away. The noise of my gramps cooking in the kitchen. And then... later the noise from gambling... including the children. All for the fun of it. It was great. That was so many years ago.

The 1st day, as usual, my late gramps would start chasing for us to reach their house in the morning. No matter how early, it was never early enough for them :). My gramps were very particular about the color of our clothes. I'd be in for trouble if we came in black, white or blue. I remember I made that mistake once. I had this nice matching top in electric blue and black. Just about the only think I could find it in that odd adolescent age. Boy, did I get it from my grandpa. Red is good. Red is safe. This is another thing that has changed over time. I don't see people, at least those around me, that particular anymore. Then the 'hoi nien' lunch... specially cooked by my gramps. Till today, noone can beat my grandpa's 'suen chi lei' (koi (the edible ones) braised in garlic). And there were always a 'pak jarm kai' aka boiled kampung chicken, the vegetarian dish with fat choy. So forth. As children, we were just happy to get together with our cousins, playing fire crackers.. and of course the gambling session :)... controlled la of course. My gramps were very particular that these sessions were only valid for 3 days only. Then close shop. My parents with my uncles and aunties would be playing mahjong till the early hours in the morning. It was certainly a visa to stay up late then.

It is good thinking about it. Now that I'm a wife and mom, it feels different. Responsibilities to balik kampong, visit and greet. Obviously not as fun as when I was a kid. But then again, it is a perfect time to rest too. In fact, I am very bored. Why do you think, I'm blogging now :). There were occasions when I'm sorely tempted to go on a holiday during CNY. Why not??