Kids Archive

What my kids are like, and how to raise your child/children in this day and age.

Understanding Kumon, Benefits of Kumon and KPEPS 2012

I have always been curios with Kumon and why parents enroll their kids at Kumon, when it is not a tutorial center. What makes Kumon Method different? What are the benefits of enrolling a kid to Kumon? What will the kid learn from Kumon. There’s so many questions on my head about Kumon and so when I received an invite for Kumon’s upcoming KPEPS press launch, I just have to go.

The Origins of Kumon Method

Ina Duller (Public Relations Division Leader of Kumon Phils) took us back to 1954, the time when Toru Kumon started developing the Kumon method. Mr Kumon is a high school Math teacher, his wife asked him to take a look on their first son’s arithmetic studies. Mrs Kumon was not satisfied with results of their son, Takeshi had taken. Mr Toru Kumon armed with the beliefs that each child posses an undiscovered potential and abilities, that it is a responsibility of the educators to uncover it, he developed a collection of original problems that Takeshi would be able to complete progressively. The series of problems will allow him to develop his skills gradually. Mr Kumon continued to create the learning materials everyday and it was from this process that the Kumon method emerged.

The optimum development of each individual’s ability, irrespective of age or grade- the pursuit of potential.

Toru Kumon believed that if it was possible for one child, then it is possible to many, hence he offered to as many children possible the chance to study the method.

More than 50 years since, the Kumon Method is now accepted in 46 countries and regions and here in the Philippines, there are 230 Kumon Center, including their head office in Makati.

What makes Kumon Method different?

K kindness movements

U Understanding the student

M Mastery of the basic skills

O On their own, the kids study on their own

N No to children are alike, hence in Kumon it is individualized learning

What are the benefits our kids can get from Kumon Method?

Kumon Method teaches the basic skills and discipline. During the press launch, there were questions asked that made us understand Kumon Method better. Some of the questions asked were, what is the appropriate age to enroll in Kumon? If the kid is already good on Math, should they go for English at Kumon? Do they hold a special class for kids with special needs? If a child was enrolled at Kumon and is already in the advance phase of the subject, say Math, wouldn’t the child be confused as he is way ahead from what was being taught on the school? What is the assurance that all centers have the same quality?

Teacher Susi Tsoi, Kumon instructor said that there is actually no appropriate age, any kid who can hold a pencil and follow instruction is accepted at Kumon. If you think your kid is ready, bring her/him to the nearest Kumon Center and they will assess you also said that even if the kid is already good on Math, the Kumon method for Math is still advisable as this will teach them discipline and the basics in computing. As for the question on special class for kids with special needs, teacher Susi said the Kumon Method is individualized teaching, so there is no special class as each student gets a unique approach.

When it comes to the child being advance and might be confused, Teacher Susi said, the child will not be confused in any way. A child maybe answering a Grade 4 Math worksheets but is actually a Grade 1 student, why he will not be confused? well because in Kumon Method, it is the basics that was being taught.

Ina Duller explained that though each Kumon Center is a franchise, the methods are the same and each center were trained the Kumon way. In fact, before anyone can open a Kumon Center in the Philippines, they need to attend orientation, pass the math and reading tests, pass the interview, attend the New Instructor Training and In-class Training (more info on Kumon Philippines Franchise). And that’s how Kumon assure us that all Kumon Centers are the same quality.

My words are limited to explain about Kumon, as I have mentioned before, I have many questions about the Kumon Method. Good thing Kumon offers a FREE Seminar for us parents: Kumon Philippines Education and Parenting Seminar (KPEPS)

Kumon Philippines Education and Parenting Seminar (KPEPS) will be held on May 19, 2012 (Saturday) 2:00- 4:30 at Cinema 4, SM North EDSA, The Block. This year’s theme is “Achievers of Today, Ready for the Future!” (How Parents Can Guide Their Children Amidst the Changing Landscape of the Philippine Education)” will give parents an understanding on the current chance in the countr’s educational system, the k-12 program. Mr. Henry Tenedero, an Education Reform Advocate will be there to talk about the changes in education and the role of the parents in the learning department.

KPEPS is a FREE EVENT, to register, just email your complete name, mobile number, and general address to parentingseminar@kumon.ph or call 885 0226.

*Kumon Philippines Price is 500 PhP for enrollment fee (one time payment) and 1,800 PhP per module per subject for younger students (grade school to grade six), P1,950 per module per subject for grade seven / first high school or older students. Each module is good for one month.

Our Piñata Collection

While browsing our photos for my Certified Loot Bags Addict entry, I found a great collection of Piñata..

Piñata is a container (palayok here in the Philippines), usually made of paper, filled with candies and toys and is broken as a part of a party or ceremony.

I can’t remember when I started the Piñata tradition…but since then, our party will never be complete without it.

That’s the oldest from our file.. Chico’s Thomas the Train Piñata. I had a hard time making it.. not to mention that I made two.. and yes I also love making banner for my kids’ birthday 🙂

Spongebob Piñata for my nephew’s 4th birthday last January 2010. This is the quickest Piñata I ever did! Took only about an hour or so 🙂 the kids love it so much! Me and my sister make fun of Spongebob’s eye bugs! hahaha

And because I had so much fun making Spongebob Piñata, I convinced my second boy for a Spongebob themed birthday party the same year my nephew had his. We learned from our mistake.. and Spongebob got a good night sleep the night before, hence no eye bugs this time.

Same year.. (hmm I think 2010 os Piñata year for us LOL) my first born celebrated his 7th birthday.. and he wants a Ben10..I wish I can say the same with this Ben10 Piñata but I had a hard time making this one.. as you can see, I only used crayola (or color pencil) on it.. my hands got so tired coloring it.. my art supplies were missing that time hahaha

The latest we had is the Cars movie Piñata.. from my second born’d 7th birthday party. My first born did the sketch and I just adjust it and color it.. saves me a lot of time. You know what, my first born is only 8 and he’s been a great help to me lately (as far as cleaning my arinola!). Lightning needs a wheel alignment on this photo haha It was quite a challenge to paint this Piñata as I need to make it look like 3D and I am glad of the outcome (err except for the wheel LOL)

We have 4 more birthdays coming this year.. May, my third born and another nephew.. I am still undecided on the theme but my third born loves Power Rangers and Mickey Mouse.. oh wait! Mickey Mouse seems to be an easy choice (nyahaha). Come October, my first born will celebrate his 9th.. and since it’s almost near to Halloween, I’ll think we’ll have a Halloween party and have a monster for Piñata (now that sounds exciting!). As for my princess, a Hello Kitty Piñata seems nice (she loves Hello Kitty) but I am not sure if she’d be happy seeing Hello Kitty in pieces.

When time permits. I’ll make a tutorial on how to make Piñata for birthday parties.

Stress Free Parenting Tips On Weaning

While Chico was feeding on his bottle and Sati on my breast, I asked Sati if she’s ready to move to bottle.. and a violent AYAW says it all. Chico on the other hand asked her if she wants to drink GATAS (milk) on the bottle. Sati answered, “Ayaw ko ng Gatas!” huh? ayaw daw ng gaats eh panay ang dede.. turns out, my milk is DEDE.. and it’s not Gatas!

That reminds me about weaning.. so for our Tuesday Parenting Tip, let’s talk about weaning.

Scientifically, weaning is the process where the baby stops nursing and also the time where in adult diet is introduced to the baby and all his nutrient sources is no longer the breast.

When is the right time to wean?

Reading would suggest that moms need to continue breastfeeding until the baby is 6 months. Our pediatrician also mentioned that and we should breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. After that, it is our choice if we want to continue or wean the baby and start feeding them with formula. I choose to feed them as long as I can.. but with my first born, pregnancy comes in the way and I had to wean him when he turns one. With my second boy, he was breastfed for 1 year and 8 months. My third son’s case was the same with my first born, pregnancy came in the way. As with my youngest, you know I’m still breastfeeding her until now.. she is 2 years old and 4 months.

My experiences weaning my kids led me to a conclusion that the right time to wean a baby is before they turn a year old. Anything later than that is not advisable. Why? As the kid turns one, they were old enough to understand but young enough not to argue. Just like what happened to my first born.. when I told him he can no longer have mommy’s milk as soon as he turns one, he never asked for it after his birthday party. It was quite sad for me.. I was expecting commotions.. The same thing happened with my third son, when I started weaning him, it took him only a week to get used to it.

The story of my second born was different.. in fact telling I have a hard time weaning him is an understatement. It was riot and the whole household can attest to that. Husband complains of lack of sleep… good thing he had to leave for US for 3 weeks and that’s how I finally won in weaning. What went wrong? He is old enough to know what he wants and knows how to get it through tantrums.

Stress Free Parenting Tips On Weaning

Start early. As I have mentioned, the age is very important as it can make or break the weaning process.
Start gradually. Cold turkey maybe effective to some but to me, gradually reducing the feeding is more effective. If you’re baby use to feed 3 times on day and 2 times at night, start reducing it one feeding at a time.
Increase the break time. If you’re baby love feeding every 3 hours, try increasing it to 3 hours and 30 minutes and so on.
Simultaneously, reduce the time that they spent on your breast.
Do not introduce bottle feeding yet, delay it for a few more weeks or until the baby is almost ready to give up your milk.

When should you delay Weaning? When the baby is sick or is experiencing a milestone such as teething or starting to walk, delay it for a few more weeks.

When a baby is old enough, like with my second born, the most effective way to wean them is to decrease their supply gradually. It takes time, sleep and a lot of effort. And it will take a lot of tears too, just remember that if you are determined to wean the baby, do not give up.

I’ll let you in to my little secret.. with Sati, it’s me that would needs weaning.. yes, I just can’tlet go of this little girl.. it’s a little bit selfish, what can I do? she’s my only girl *wink