Projection Sharing: Kumon

This morning, I attended the projection sharing of Caleb and Calix at the Kumon Center in Buhangin.  I was a bit nervous.  Assessments always make me nervous.  When people gauge or assess your kids, a mother is always nervous and at times, can pretty much get very protective of her kids.  I sometimes find it weird how teachers tell you what your kids can and cannot do at his particular age.  That's why I'm not so into the traditional method of educating kids.

I was greeted by Teacher Shiela, their soon to be teacher starting next month.  She seemed nice.  I liked the fact that she looks young (plus points!).  I want younger teachers because I think they related better to kids (no offense to older teachers of course).  At the outset Teacher Shiela told me that indeed, twins do not have the same personalities.  She was able to confirm when she gave the assessment exam to the twins.  While Caleb was crying and looking for me, Calix on the other hand sat on the chair and wanted to start with his exam.  So Calix actually took the exam first.  This is how she described the twins:

Caleb

1.  Likes to scribble but can't hold the pencil properly yet.

2.  Does not listen immediately to instructions.

3.  Can identify pictures ( He got 5 correct items out of 6!).

Calix

1.  Cannot hold the pencil yet but is eager to learn.

2.  Listens immediately to instructions and is well-behaved.

3.  Can identify pictures (Perfect score for shoti!).

So from the assessment, one can easily glean that they both have a problem with holding pencils.  I do not normally give the kids pencils, I'm afraid one might accidentally hit the other using the pencil.  I do give them crayons (those fat one's specifically tailored for little hands!) and coloring books.  They have not yet learned how to draw but I love their colorful scribbles (I should probably take pics of it.).  And I love their sense of imagination when they draw.  Lines become snakes!  Scribbles become super heroes!  But since Kumon requires them to use pencils,  I guess it's time to reintroduce the pencil.  I do hope they have pencils for little hands.

I am not an expert in Kumon.  We never had Kumon back then.  I never had a tutor except for my mom (thanks mom!) who patiently taught me every night.  It was from her that I became an independent learner.  At a young age, I have learned how to study on my own.  So why send them to Kumon?  I want my kids to have the best opportunity that the world can offer.  I believe Kumon is one of such opportunities.  We plan on enrolling them in the Reading Class.  I do not expect my kids to read after 2 months or so.  I just want them to be independent and disciplined learners.  And oh, of course, I want them to shine just as each child should shine.  As Kumon's philosophy says, "Every child can shine."

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