Hi Parents,


Just saw this website at Mumscenter about cheap word problems holiday work shop for Primary 2 and 3 students. Only $39.....

http://mumcentre.com.sg/events/discover-the-secrets-to-solving-word-problems-at-only-39

I am not promoting neither am I getting any commission from them. Just sharing information with parents looking for holiday program this september.

phtthp:

hi buds,


a bit lost here.
may clarify - which one follow Yeap Ban Har style ? is it Montessori Maths or MPM ?

Thanks for clarification.

Can someone also tell me the difference between Montessori Maths and Math Monkey Maths? Does Montesorri Maths use alot of manipulatives? Math Monkey also has Math Programs for Nursery and Kindergarten children which they said also help to prepare the child for primary school. The centre's staff also said that they use alot of manipulatives and tools during teaching.

Thanks alot.....

smilingmummy:

Hi sushigal


To compare MM to CMA i find it relatively expensive. CMA for 10lessons (1.5hrs/lesson) about $280 whereas MM charge 12lessons (1hr/lesson) $405. My gal has no prob going for CMA makeup lesson as they have many time slots to choose from while MM only allow 30mins for the makeup lesson and no other time slots to choose except to go 30mins earlier. If u work out the sums, MM is consider very EXPENSIVE le. Just my own opinion.

I think it is not right to compare Math Monkey with CMA. CMA's (abacus) coverage is very narrow. It is only about arithmetic but Math is more than just arithmetic. CMA does not cover Time, Money, Graphs, Mass, Volume etc.... which are topics that primary school students need to learn in school too. I know Math Monkey does cover these topics besides arithmetic. Personally, I would rather my son get learn all the math topics than just arithmetic.....

I put my boy in Math Monkey for about 3 months already, and he absolutely love it…So, I am continuing him for another term.


Like you, I asked about the teachers too and they said that they have a set of curriculum/teaching instructions that teachers must follow so I guess "no suka suka wishy washy teaching" allowed. In that sense, maybe not so "teacher dependent".

My boy can’t do worksheet style coz he is a pretty active boy and worksheets drilling is too boring for him. Kumon is completely out for him and MPM, even though they are have more pictures compared to the boring Kumon, they are still very much worksheet based. To me, MPM and Kumon are not that different. There is not much learning in these type of centres.

He likes Math Monkey because the lessons are very interactive and the games (which I understand is actually math practice sessions) can help generate his interest in math. I think an interest in Math is very important in order for a child to get good results in maths. Since enrolling him in math monkey, he is more willing to do his math homework. And I don’t have to nag at him so much too…makes me a happier mummy…

greenbean2011:

hello Rabbit02,


but many Kumon parents testified that their kids' Maths improve a lot, after working on Maths worksheets for a period of time.

can share with us ... how you teach yr children Maths and Science like Art, the creative way instead of by worksheets ?

thank you very much for yr sharing.... appreciate very much,

To me, Math and Science are creative subjects so worksheet based learning is inappropriate and boring. It leads children to develop phobia in Math/Science. I have frens whose childen hates math after all these worksheets drilling. Math and Science are very related to our practical life. In fact, we can teach children math and science anywhere...in the supermarkets/swimming pool/park - get your child to add/subtract/multiply/divide etc while you are doing your grocery shopping/eating/playing/ etc. Science is about discovery, exploratory and hands on.....while in the kitchen...etc.... This way, your child learns better as it is done in a fun and enjoyable way......

[quote="cimman"I had a look at Vedic Maths. While in theory, it does provide a fast calculation method, it does so only for a set of numbers that meets a specific criteria, ie. numbers close to a certain base, ie. 19 and 21, base 20. In practice, these rarely happens in problems. So the student has to go back to the old way of calculation. Not very useful for division, probably better for multiplication, which they have a method for widely differing numbers.[/quote]


I read up on vedic math too and I think you missed the fundamental point about Vedic Math. On first glance, it seemed to be pure speed calculations, but on deeper reading, there is a logic and pattern in the calculations which will lead one to understand math concepts, patterns and relationship. I am not an expert here, but I think there is more to Vedic Math than just speed calculations.

Also, problem solving is not all about analysis. A child will not be able to come out with the addition/multiplication/fraction sentence if the foundation is weak. Therefore, building foundation is still critical.

Having said that, I suppose each centre including Math Monkey will be their own strengths depending on the child’s learning issue.

Lastly, reading a book is different from experiencing. Most children are not so patient to sit down to read a factual book. They may be able to read fictions but factual? kind of difficult…

They were at the Kidz Academy a couple of weeks ago. Wanted to find out how much it will cost but they are very secretive. I must sign up for the preview then they will tell me. Why cannot share the price? I told them no point going for review if I cannot afford it. Anyone knows how much?

cimman:

cotton candy:

:? Any credibility in the first few posts?

as with all things on the internet, read with a critical mind. Never believe information from a single source. On the internet, both views will be present. The marketing view, propagated by the product company, and spread through clever internet marketing techniques and the negative view.

At the end of the day, you have to judge which view is more logical, more plausible. Critical questioning is good ie. if this works, why don't they market it to the blind community, they will have a ready market. Money is not an issue, people are willing to donate money for a good cause. Besides, a blind child who learned to \"see\" will generate a lot of publicity for the product.

On the internet, you can't really trust people's identities. A male can be a female, a child can be an adult, a testimonial can be a marketing blurb, etc...

Rome was not built in a day. Brains cannot be changed in 2 days, especially if the majority of the time was spent watching TV cartoons and sleeping.
You be the judge.

Of course, there is the placebo effect. After spending a large sum of money, you'll want to believe that your child has turned into a genius, cos' the alternative would have been too painful to accept.

Unfortunately, there are still gullible people around. This blindfold reading/seeing or whatever you named it appeared at the recent Kidz Academy exhibition. And mind, these \"sales agents\" are \"aggressive\" They should make their sales pitch to the visually impaired first and then prove it! Only then, Buy!

e3nity:

Yeah, I was looking at the program flyer that they gave me and yes, some programs cover time and money. I know this is a game based program so the children play games while at the same time learn Math. They said the children play different games every week but I am not sure if there is role playing though....

Guess i got to head dwn to see it for myself.. on the hard selling part.. Thanks Rabbit02.. btw did u enrol ur child yet?[/quote]

Yeah, Math Monkey called me to go for a free trial last week but hubby outstation so I said wait for him to come back, then go together. Anyway, need to go and sign up my girl for their June Holiday Program. My girl said she wants to attend. I welcome any opportunity where my girl said she wants to learn Math! Better learn something during school holidays then stay at home and become a short sighted potato!

e3nity:

I was wondering if they teach money concepts like role playing.. eg pretend as seller and buyer exchanging $$?? :?

I've managed to check their website and enquired about it.. Guess its reali interesting.. will bring DS dwn for a assessment cum trial lesson..

Any parents brought their kids dwn for trial lesson b4?? do they hard sell??

Yeah, I was looking at the program flyer that they gave me and yes, some programs cover time and money. I know this is a game based program so the children play games while at the same time learn Math. They said the children play different games every week but I am not sure if there is role playing though....