I have a daughter who will be 9 yrs old next month and entering 4th grade. She is good at math and just a little shy of doing advanced math. We want to help her strengthen her math facts thus helping her feel more confident and make less of the careless mistakes that held her back from doing advanced math in 3rd grade. She has it in her but just needs a little more guidance.
Does anybody have any recommendations on classes or a good private tutor (with creative teaching skills and not necessarily just book teaching) who can help her? I live in Almaden Valley in San Jose.
Has anybody heard from Vedic math? What about centers like Kumon, Sylvian etc.
I know about websites that can help but she does not do it on a regular basis and also looses interest after a few days. I am hoping if I sign her up for classes or with a tutor, then she will remain more focused and work on it on a regular basis.
I know Kumon has a reputation for strengthening math skills, but it is memorization/ repetition, I think, not creative or fun, so some kids would do better than others in that environment.
I think there is a computer based program for kids from Stanford University called EPGY and check it out online.
I agree with Stephanie. You need to make sure she knows that some subjects might come easier than others, and it's ok if she has a little trouble. You did say though that she is good in math, so I have to ask if it's just you who wants her in advanced math, or is she really having trouble? Why not search the web for printable worksheets that she can do. Also try the library for books on fun activities to strengthen her skills. Even activities like cooking and baking help with fractions, addition, and such. Make it fun for her and she'll want to do it. I think a lot of times kids don't like tutors or places like Sylvan because it makes them feel like they are failures.
I tutor students in math enrichment and I was just talking to a parent of one of my students. We were discussing the need for basic facts to be in place and she sent her daughter to Ms. Hansen. In just a session or two, the child was on her way.
Here's her website.
Stephanie
I think working with a tutor is a great idea, but I also think it is important for your dayghter to understand that it is ok if math (or any subject or sport, etc) doesn't come easy for her, it's about the effort and the practice that goes into it that's important and with that comes the understanding, etc. There is a great book for parents and teachers called "Mindsets" by Carol Dweck. There are fixed and growth mindsets and as parents we want to encourage the growth mindset. When kids are told how smart they are their whole lives when a challenge arises, they'd rather not take the chance of ruining that title so they simply won't try. You have to praise the effort, so kids know it's ok to fail sometimes, that's when you gain experience and know what not to do the next time, etc. It was a real eye opener for me, because you so innocently tell your kids wow, you're so smart! And it devalues them actually.
Good luck!
STeph
