Hi TamarindMy girl is only 5 years old this year, my boy will be 4. I don't want to pressurize them too much. I don't believe that doing work sheet is that important at this age. I want to develop their creativity and interpersonal skills, which I think are much are important. They will have enough homework when they go to primary school. I have heard of cases where kids get burnt out at kumon classes and refused to do worksheets anymore.
My girl is already reading very well now. She will finish the ladybird keyword series 12, which is the highest level soon. I will just let her read english books consistently, especially the classics like "Little House on the Prairie", "The Secret Garden", "Heidi", etc. I want her to develop a love of reading, so she will learn on her own. She is also doing long addition and multiplication at home. Other than that, I will just let her learn whatever is taught in her kindergarten and Berries Chinese class.
I am more interested in teaching her other skills, like baking cupcakes and cookies. She loves drawing so I am planning to send her to arts class.
I agree with you totally. The most important part of learning is understanding. I am trying my best to develop my daughter's creativity and interpersonal skills too.
Doing worksheets occassionally is alright but to drill a child to achieve medals will be to stressful. Just my own opinion. I know of children who are very very put off doing worksheets and homework when they reach primary school. Moreover, if they already done everything before the primary school teacher teaches, they will feel very bored at school. Eventually the child will develop a habit of not paying attention during lessons at school even lessons that the child has not learn before.
I don't know what is the difference between teachers and instructors, I only know that Kumon can employ people who are not qualify to teach.