Anyone used Kumon English for their child?

Time_to_get_up_and_go_2-2

Hi
My son is in yr1 and is struggling with reading and writing (reading especially) he just doesn't have the patience.

He was in stage 2 but just gone back to stage 1 whereas his classmates are all stage 3-6

I'm just worried that he will get left behind.

A friend suggested Kumon sessions do just after any reviews of suggestions as to what may help develop his reading

Thanks!

grass_is_greener

I don't have any experience of kumon English I'm afraid but the advice I would give is do not compare with class mates. They all develop at different rates, try not to compare with others. However difficult that may be, it will only make you feel worse.

My daughter is in year one and there are some children on stage one and others on stage 8, all the others are somewhere inbetween.

He will get there but like you say, might be worth looking into a different way of learning as phonics don't work for all (if that's what he is doing).
Have the school expressed any concerns?

Time_to_get_up_and_go_2-2

Thanks, I try not to compare but it's hard not to.
His reception teacher was aware he was behind and he got taken out for one to one reading but I'm not sure yet with his yr 1 teacher.

I will have a word next week to see what she suggests.

He can't get his head around a letter in a word that doesn't sound like the single letter I.e y and my

I think the problem is his concentration more than anything!

fawd1

Have you tried reading with him yourself ( obviously I mean from phonetic letters) Kumon is good, but expensive, and nothing you couldn't do yourself. If nothing else, show a love of reading in your house by making sure he sees you an your partner reading. My 2 are obsessed with books, only because they've seen me with them so often!

Time_to_get_up_and_go_2-2

I love reading and he always plays with my book (dad not a fan tbh)

It's v hard not to get frustrated when he just says he cant see (had eye exam perfect vision) can't do it etc

He even doesn't remember repeated words on the following pages etc

dingdongavoncalling

Time_to_get_up_and_go wrote: »

He can't get his head around a letter in a word that doesn't sound like the single letter I.e y and my

Words like this are known as 'tricky words' in the government letters and sounds document. These words cannot be 'sounded out' using phonic knowledge and simply have to be learned and remembered. Other examples are the, to, no, go, by, me, be, we. Unfortunately it is just the English language, phonics doesn't work for everything. You can practise these by using flashcards, playing matching games, bingo etc by introducing a few at a time. There are also phonics games online.

If I were you I'd speak to the teacher, ask them what kinds of things you could be doing at home today. Short, sharp blasts of 5-10 minutes will be fab (especially if he is struggling to concentrate) make it fun and relevant to him (i.e. books he enjoys etc) and the learning will follow.

Good luck!

Ellie83

Time_to_get_up_and_go wrote: »

It's v hard not to get frustrated when he just says he cant see (had eye exam perfect vision) can't do it etc

I'm not a primary school specialist (I teach 11-18), but has your son been tested for dyslexia? Some dyslexia sufferers will say they "can't see" when in fact they can see but the letters appear to move on the page.

susieanne

I looked into Kumon for my son as he was struggling with both maths and english in primary school . I looked into it got the information packs and went to one of there centres to see what it was all about before i committed to it .

Dont waste your money !! I thought it was very expensive and all they do basically is give you work sheets for you to take home and help your son/daughter

In the end i just asked his teacher for extra help within school and the school did what they could to help him

He is now in high school in set 1 for English & set 2 maths , he just caught up himself and as he got older it just clicked so dont worry to much at what level they are in at primary

Mojisola

Time_to_get_up_and_go wrote: »

My son is in yr1 and is struggling with reading and writing (reading especially) he just doesn't have the patience.

He was in stage 2 but just gone back to stage 1 whereas his classmates are all stage 3-6

What are the school doing about it? Have they identified his specific difficulties and what techniques are they using to help him?

Just having extra one-to-one reading time isn't going to solve the problem.

Dunroamin

Time_to_get_up_and_go wrote: »

I love reading and he always plays with my book (dad not a fan tbh)

It's v hard not to get frustrated when he just says he cant see (had eye exam perfect vision) can't do it etc

He even doesn't remember repeated words on the following pages etc

Couldn't you get his father to be more co operative with this; he must realise how important it is. Some boys see reading as being "girly" and a positive role model from his dad could be a great help.

Does he follow the words when either of you read to him and does he enjoy these sessions?

PinkLipgloss

I teach Year 1 and support what others have said about speaking to his teacher for specific information/support.

Don't stress yourself about your son not being able to read a repeated word. Children have to see a word A LOT of times before committing it to memory - it's perfectly normal!

Since he is only in Year 1 I think it's important that he is not stressed/made to "study" as such. I suggest approaching it in a "sneaky" manner such as playing games (with flashcards or there is a wealth of key word/phonics games online) and doing activities (e.g. reading recipes to do some cooking).

It's important that he learns to value the importance and ENJOYMENT of reading and that he is not turned off learning. Year 1 lays the key foundations of literacy for the rest of his school life.