Sylvan or Kumon??

[remfam5]

If you have had your child do both or either of these programs, could you tell why you chose which one and why.

We are looking into these for our 11 year old daughter for the summer. She will be going into 6th grade and is really struggling with math and needs a boost with her reading comprehension.

Thanks!!

 

[shortyK]

I'm biased because my sister works for Sylvan, but I'm very impressed with their program and will probably sign my dd7 up for a program next year.

 

[Robinrs]

I used BOTH.

I sent my son to Kumon for reading in the 1st grade and for sent him to Sylvan for math in the 6th.

Kumon works on the repetitive method, which, I believe, takes information from the short term memory to the long term. It worked well with Michael back then.

We sent him to Sylvan when he was a rising 6th grader over the summer. It helped him to pass the CRCT test which he had previously failed!! He was also given credit for attending the course. The cost was HIGH, though. Kumon was much more affordable.

 

[remfam5]

I used BOTH.

I sent my son to Kumon for reading in the 1st grade and for sent him to Sylvan for math in the 6th.

Kumon works on the repetitive method, which, I believe, takes information from the short term memory to the long term. It worked well with Michael back then.

We sent him to Sylvan when he was a rising 6th grader over the summer. It helped him to pass the CRCT test which he had previously failed!! He was also given credit for attending the course. The cost was HIGH, though. Kumon was much more affordable.

So, do you think Sylvan would be best for an older child (like my daughter)?
And Kumon for maybe younger kids?

 

[Wishing on a star]

Kumon works on the repetitive method, which, I believe, takes information from the short term memory to the long term. It worked well with Michael back then.

I think the differences in method and approach ( as mentioned above) are probably what should be considered the most... not just the age. The child's particular needs and learning style.

With my son, I know that he would really benefit from the simplified presentation and the mastery gained by repetition, as described in the Kumon approach. For other children, it may be different.

With him, the broad spiraling methods that are commonly used today are difficult for him, with his disability.

 

[kaseyC]

We are sending DD12 to Sylvan this summer, she will be taking their Study Skills program to prepare for tougher course load of Middle School. These will be skills that will carry her through college. We chose Sylvan over Huntington or Kumon because I just felt their program met our needs better than the others. It also came strongly recommended by friends of ours.

It is pricey, but we decided to skip sleep away camp this year and do Sylvan and a local Drama Day camp.

 

[remfam5]

We are sending DD12 to Sylvan this summer, she will be taking their Study Skills program to prepare for tougher course load of Middle School.

Does the Study Skills class cover a broader range of courses?
It also sounds like a class my daughter would benefit from.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I don't know if all of these subjects are a part of the program you are looking at... but 'study skills', 'reading', and 'math', are three different things...

Good study skills will apply to amost any academic subject.

 

[kaseyC]

Does the Study Skills class cover a broader range of courses?
It also sounds like a class my daughter would benefit from.

This is directly from the Sylvan site. (It explains it better than I could)

The Sylvan study skills program can help your child become a better student by approaching schoolwork with effective new strategies in these key areas:

Organization and time management, such as assignment and grade tracking, organization of papers and binders, study planning and goal setting
Note-taking, covering everything from listening well and following directions to managing and presenting information to practical note taking
Reading and studying, including using notes effectively, handling textbooks, researching and writing reports and learning-specific study techniques
Test-taking strategies such as showing how to approach multiple choice and essay tests and how to overcome anxiety

My DD is very strong in most of her subjects but she lacks organization and DH and I really feel she could benefit from the Study Skills program.

She will start her program in July and end in late Sept./early Oct. We decided to have her program continue into the new school year so she can practice her skill with her new courses and textbooks. That way, DH and I as well as her tutor can see whether she has mastered the skills or not.

 

[remfam5]

Thanks for the info!

 

[agnes!]

This is just my take on Kumon.

One of my DD's friends did Kumon at least one or two summers/sessions. My DD (now in HS) thought at the time that Kumon *really* messed up this kid in math, their ways of solving problems were *not* the same as our school system's & it confused her friend. (Anybody who has tried to help their kid with math and has been told "But that's not how the teacher told us to do it!" will know what I mean.)

If you have some friends/neighbors with older kids who might have gotten tutors or gone the Sylvan/Kumon route (when their kids were younger) maybe ask them for recommendations? Make sure whatever you pick that it matches up with the pedagogy/methods that the local schools are using.

Good luck,
agnes!

 

[meganx]

I don't think Kumon is that good. I strongly recommend Beestar.org.
It is a website full of free math practice, English programs, social studies and Gifted & Talented programs. My little James started school last year, but he really hated the boring math. Then his teacher recommended Beestar to us. He began to like doing the weekly math practice, because there are interesting stories and vivid pictures for kids. He also likes checking the honor roll every week, and he is so happy when his name appears. Registering as parent, I can receive the Email from beestar every week to notice me how James was doing in beestar. I am considering registering other programs for him.

 

[meliss8599]

When in high school I personally attended Sylvan for help in Math and swear by it. I would send my daughter there in a heartbeat. They initially test for your child's weaknesses and then create a plan for them and teach in the ways your child learns best. There are rewards for progress and it was a very positive experience.