HOW IMPORTANT ARE MATHEMATICS AND ENGLISH FOR FUTURE SUCCESS?

Studying Mathematics and English can sometimes be so difficult and learners often find it hard to see how they are going to benefit from these or whether it has any relevance for their future lives. In fact, contrary to their feelings of how irrelevant these are, there are many benefits of developing an excellent ability in these two areas, both for their future studies and for their life in general. 

University admission and study1

First and foremost, in order to be considered for admission to university, a learner needs to obtain good marks in matric, obtaining a complete exemption (as opposed to a conditional exemption) at the end of their matric year.  Without a complete exemption a student will in all probability not be eligible to apply to any of our top universities.  According to the SA Matriculation Board, one of the criteria to be met in order to obtain a complete exemption is that a learner passes at least two languages, including at least one First Language and one university language of instruction.  Most universities in South Africa have English as their language of instruction. The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) require applicants to obtain a higher grade pass in English in order to be considered for admission to these institutions.  So, already we can see that doing well in English is essential if a learner wishes to study at one of these universities post matric.

Together with a matric exemption, universities in South Africa use a point system to decide whether or not a student is eligible to be admitted to their undergraduate programmes.  Learners earn points for each subject that they pass.  The better their symbols, the greater number of points they earn, and they will earn more points for subjects taken on higher grade.  UCT recommends that ‘applicants writing the South African Senior Certificate are advised to take subjects on higher rather than standard grade. … This is especially true of Mathematics and physical science’.

Each faculty has its own subject, symbol and grade requirements for admission to particular degrees or diplomas, so prospective applicants will need to find out what these requirements are for the particular course that they wish to study.  However, we (Kumon) conducted some research into the minimum requirements for admission to the various faculties at Wits and UCT.  Below is a brief summary, giving one an indication of how important and crucial Maths and English are should one wish to go to university.

University Courses that require Maths HG (or a very high SG pass):

  • Commerce Department [e.g. Financial Accounting (HG only), Auditing, Computer Science, Marketing, Politics and Economics (HG only)]
  • Engineering and Built Environment Department [e.g. Architecture, Engineering (HG only), City Planning, Urban Design and Construction Management]
  • Health Science Department (e.g. Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Pathology, Audiology and Medicine)
  • Science Faculty (e.g. Business Computing, Bachelor of Science (HG only): Atmospheric Science, Zoology, Marine Biology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Applied Mathematics, and Astronomy) 

University Courses that require English (First or Second language) HG

  • Law (e.g. Commercial Law, Marine Law, Criminal Justice and Criminology, Human Rights Law and Environmental Law)
  • Humanities (e.g. Drama, Film Studies, Media and Writing, Sociology, Archaeology, Politics, Design, Sculpture and Acting and Theatre Making)

For full details, please refer to the admissions department of the respective universities.

From all of this it is clear that obtaining excellent results in Mathematics and English can open doors for a learner to study at university so that they can pursue the career of their choice and realise their dreams.

Train your brain2

But maybe a learner doesn’t want to go to university.  They would rather pursue other dreams and ambitions.  Or maybe they’re still a long way from university and right now admission requirements for tertiary institutions aren’t of interest to them.  “So why should I study Mathematics and English?” they may ask.

Well, a proficiency in these subjects is not only for those who wish to be admitted to university.  Did you know that reading and writing, and solving mathematical calculations can exercise your brain and keep it healthy?  The brain is a muscle, and like the other muscles in the body, it needs to be exercised and stimulated regularly to stay healthy and keep functioning at its optimum.  

Dr Ryuta Kawashima is a professor at Tohoku University in Japan and he is a leader in the field of Brain Imaging in Japan.  He has conducted numerous experiments and research to discover what activities activate and stimulate the brain and what activities don’t.

One activity that Dr Kawashima discovered that is excellent for stimulating the brain is performing mathematical calculations regularly, even simple ones.  He conducted research to find out which activity exercised the brain more:  playing very complex video games, or solving mathematical calculations of adding one digit numbers to each other e.g. 1 + 2 + 5 + 3 + 6 etc.  Although at the outset he was sure that the video games would activate the brain more, when he measured activity using MRI scans, he saw that video games actually stimulated the brain very little, but that the arithmetical calculations had the brain firing on all cylinders.  

This surprising finding urged Dr Kawashima into further research and he has shown that mathematical calculations stimulate the brain, help to lay down neural pathways and keep the brain from degenerating.  Dr Kawashima has this to say, “The prefrontal cortex, the area for thinking and learning, of both hemispheres [of the brain] is active during simple calculation.  Dealing with numbers is an important and sophisticated activity for human beings. … From primary school to college, simple calculation triggers brain activity. … Calculation is extremely helpful in training and developing your brain.” (p.34).  He goes on to make the following recommendation:  ‘Before studying something difficult, do a little calculating for just a minute or two.  You will be able to study more efficiently because various parts of your brain will be activated.  It’s like warming up the engine before using a car.’ (p.34) 

Another activity that is vital for the brain is reading, especially reading out loud.  Through his research, Dr Kawashima has found that when reading, many parts of both sides of the brain, as well as the prefrontal cortex (the most important place in the brain for thinking and learning) are activated. (p.26).  Reading out loud activates the brain even more than reading silently.  This can be a useful tip when it comes to studying.  Reading work out loud can help a learner to remember it better. 

These findings have even been put to use with elderly people.  Kumon Japan has started an initiative called “Learning Therapy” that takes Kumon to people in old age homes.  Special large print worksheets have been produced for this project, and the residents at these old age facilities complete the worksheets on a daily basis.  Elderly people who had previously been confined to bed, had lost all hope and reason to live and were simply waiting to die, have been regenerated and energised through completing worksheets each day, because their brains have been reactivated.  

Takeaway

Studying Mathematics and a language is valuable to us as humans.  Obtaining good grades gives children more opportunities and choices in their tertiary studies, and activities in Mathematics and reading keep our brains alive, activated and healthy – even into old age.  In closing, a quote from Dr Kawashima serves as a great summary: 

Your brain has unlimited potential to do anything.  For the brightest future possible, train your brain yourself.  Do it by learning a lot, reading books, doing sports and playing with friends. … You cannot develop a strong brain as long as you always take the easy way out, and just do what you like and not do what bores you.  You must take the lead.  You must develop your brain yourself.

  1. Information for this section was taken from the following sources:

www.wits.ac.za/Prospective/Undergraduate/Admission Requirements

2. Information for this section was taken from the following sources:

  • Kawashima, R. 2003. Train Your Brain. Kumon Publishing Co, Ltd. Tokyo, Japan
  • Kawashima, R. and Koizumi, H. ed. 2003.  Learning Therapy.  Tohoku University Press. Sendai, Japan.
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Active technology can benefit students in a digital world

In today’s classroom, students might be as likely to talk about the Elmo Visual Presenter, a computerized digital projector, as Elmo the red, fuzzy and lovable “Sesame Street” character who loves hugs.

It’s the digital world they live in, and today’s children are enveloped by it in both their home and school lives. How they embrace technology and use it in their lives matter. If implemented thoughtfully and with balance, technology can more deeply enrich the educational journey of a student.

Today, technology surrounds every facet of modern life. It’s prevalent in school, college and the workplace. It can be used for digital skill development, research, collaborative learning, job hunting, general time management and organizational skills. Learning proper technology habits early can help set students up for success. Kumon has launched Kumon Connect, a web-based app that allows students to complete their worksheets using a tablet and stylus.

Passive Technology 

Eyes can glaze over as users scroll through endless streams of YouTube videos. The same goes for swiping through the latest viral crazes on TikTok or posts on Instagram. The threshold for engagement for a user of one of these platforms is extremely low.

In social media and entertainment platforms like these, the user isn’t required to do anything to interact with what is happening on the screen. The same can be said for television programmes.

In each instance, the user isn’t required to interact with the programming presented, and no skills are gained in the process. They are consuming viewed material rather than having meaningful interaction that facilitates creating and discovering new skills.

This passive consumption of technology isn’t healthy or appropriate for young learners, and the lack of engagement may be more detrimental than the hours spent in front of screens, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. At home and in the classroom, passive screen time could include watching too much television, social media scrolling or playing non-educational games on a tablet or phone.

Active Technology

At the other end of the spectrum is active technology, which can be used as a learning tool by parents and teachers to engage children in specific learning activities that develop skills meaningful to student development.

Those tools can be delivered through various kinds of devices – tablets, computers, televisions and mobile phones. A number of large-scale studies have shown that integrating educational technology into a student’s life can improve academic outcomes, according to the Brookings Institution, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C.

The key is using the devices and the programmes on them for constructive use that engages the students in a meaningful way and encourages learning, creativity, active play and exploration.

Technology can make many aspects of a child’s life more accessible and convenient – even practicing their Kumon. Just like with paper Kumon worksheets, students using Kumon Connect attend class at their local Centre twice per week and do homework the other five days; the difference is they do their worksheets on the tablet. After assignments are submitted, they are graded within 24 hours, and students are notified if corrections are necessary. The student’s next assignment will be ready when they sign in. Instructors can replay the work of completed assignments to see skill development and provide feedback, and parents can see their child’s progress in real time on the app.

Engaging technology can be fun. Digital games and online videos provide an outlet to let children visually learn and reinforce educational concepts like sharing, collaboration and problem solving. Online audio programmes help younger students with auditory cues and instructions that give them a more immersive learning experience. These games and audio books develop similar skills but also provide a chance for the student to hear proper pronunciations and the ability to speak with the instructor or programme.

Virtual reality and augmented reality experiences also provide for other active learning experiences where children are surrounded, through a headset, in a virtual learning environment. This allows them to be able to see and visit places they otherwise wouldn’t experience outside the digital realm, like zoos, aquariums, historic sites or outer space.

Conventional thinking might lean toward an oversimplification of how digital devices and screen time should apply to students. While no child should be figuratively glued to a phone, tablet or computer, for the next generation of students to miss out on a digital world that encourages educational experiences would be a shame.

As mentioned above, Kumon has introduced worksheets in a digital format via KUMON CONNECT, making Kumon’s tried and tested worksheets even more accessible and convenient for students to study using their tablet and stylus. To find out more visit www.kumon.co.za/kumon-connect/ 

 

This article is courtesy of the Kumon North America website*

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* https://www.kumon.com/resources/active-technology-can-benefit-students-in-a-digital-world-2/?doing_wp_cron=1714137736.1361100673675537109375 

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4 EASY WAYS TO ADD MATHS TO YOUR EARLY LEARNER’S DAILY ROUTINE

Whether you realise it or not, we use maths concepts to solve real-life situations every day. From cooking with recipes to figuring out the correct money to give at the store, maths is everywhere. Teaching your children fundamental maths skills at a young age is easier than you think!

With research stating that 80% of a child’s brain develops by age five, it’s important for parents to take advantage of the critical early years. The great news is that children are naturally curious and often question the world around them, so there are many chances to naturally weave in learning opportunities. By just adding a little maths to your everyday routine, you can help your toddler or preschooler begin to recognise numbers, learn the proper number sequence and eventually develop the ability to count. Here are four easy ways to add maths into the everyday routine for early learners:

1. Play simple card games

Learning about numbers is the first step in a preschooler’s maths journey. In addition to using number flash cards, playing card games using regular playing cards is another great way for children to learn about numbers up to 10. The cards between two and ten not only have the numbers on them, but also the amount of symbols that represent the quantity. The pattern on the cards helps children to conceptually understand what the number represents.

2. Count outdoors or with items you use each day

To help your preschooler learn to count, start by heading outdoors. Find items in nature that can be easily counted, such as the petals on a flower, the leaves on a branch, or even trees in the yard. Ask questions such as: “How many flowers have pink petals in the garden?” “Which flower has more petals than the others?” “How many red leaves are there?”

These questions will spark their curiosity to explore the answer. If needed, help your child by pointing and counting with them. By modelling how to do it, your child will feel encouraged and motivated to count with you before doing so on their own. You can also count items you use each day such as different foods or toys.

3. Sort and understand groupings

Look for teachable moments during everyday play. While playing with their toys, ask your children to sort by colour, or by similarities, or by differences. You can even introduce sorting during clean-up by asking them to put toys into the right bins.

One great place to start with sorting is by using different coins. These all vary in size which makes sorting by their differences simple without introducing the values of each coin. Once you show the differences of each coin, help sort these out into different groupings.

For example: “Can you count the ten cent pieces? Let’s put them into groups of 10.” Once you master sorting out the ten cent pieces and setting aside the groupings, then you can count the total. Repeat this with the various other coins.

4. Cook to teach measurements and shapes

Not only is cooking useful, it’s a great way to learn maths. Begin by finding an easy and fun baking recipe. Some will call for measurements such as “two cups of flour” or “three teaspoons of baking powder.” You can have your child help with counting these measurements out with you.

Next, work with your child to form shaped cookies and count as you lay them on the baking sheet. Young children tend to notice the different sizes, for example, one giant cookie versus 24 mini ones. You can then get different sized plates and ask questions like “Which plate holds the most cookies?” or “How many cookies fit on the blue plate?” This will encourage your child to think through this by experimenting and counting different groupings.

Maths is something we turn to for everyday tasks. With these simple tips, your child will begin learning some maths concepts without even really knowing they’re learning. It is great to start teaching these skills at a young age to get them prepared for Grade R and ensure they are on the right track for their academic future!

This article is from the KUMON NORTH AMERICA website: https://www.kumon.com/resources/4-easy-ways-to-add-math-to-your-early-learners-daily-routine/ 

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6 EASY WAYS TO ACE THE SCHOOL YEAR

Settling in to the new school year and a classroom-ready mindset isn’t always easy. Beyond the excitement of  physically going back to school full time (after the 2020 restrictions), new classes and even new friends, children and parents alike can get easily overwhelmed by the changes the new school year brings.

Here are six tips that will help your family make this year the best school year yet!

Stick to a Routine

Children benefit from having a steady routine. Setting a consistent bedtime and wake-up time will ensure that your children are getting enough sleep. If they don’t, concentration and academic performance will suffer. Likewise, having a well-balanced breakfast each morning will ensure that the day starts off on a positive note. If your children spend a lot of time getting their uniforms out of the cupboard and preparing their school bags in the morning, add these activities to their night-time routine.

Create a Distraction Free Study Area

Completing homework at the same time each day will help create strong study habits. Establish a location in your home where your children will study and do homework throughout the year. Choose a location where you can keep an eye on them, but still minimize distractions like TV, phone and electronics.

Support Homework Independence

Once your children are able to read directions on their own, encourage them to complete their homework assignments by themselves. They may continue to ask for help primarily because they enjoy the parental attention, not because they truly need assistance. Support their independence by encouraging them to work through the problems on their own. When your children do their homework without a reminder, acknowledge their independence to reinforce the positive habit.

Think Long-Term

Children who set long-term goals often have increased motivation in school. Setting long-term goals with your children can help connect the relevancy of their daily activities with the future. It is also never too early to develop time management skills. Using time wisely by completing homework and chores efficiently allows children to have more time for fun activities.

Have a Positive Learning Attitude

Attitudes are infectious and an integral component to success. Parents who have a positive attitude towards learning and school can excite children with their enthusiasm. Show interest in your children’s studies by asking questions, which can help foster motivation and a positive learning attitude. Remember to reinforce a positive, growth mindset. Children who understand that hard-work is more important than natural intelligence are more likely succeed.

Connect with the Teacher

Parents who plan an active role in their children’s education make a huge difference in their success. Building a relationship with your children’s teachers can help you understand how your children are doing at school and how you can help your children at home. Try to meet with your children’s teachers at the beginning of the school year and set the expectation of working together as a team. Developing a strong, positive partnership with your children’s teachers can help the school year go more smoothly for you and your children.

This article is from the KUMON NORTH AMERICA website: https://www.kumon.com/resources/6-easy-ways-to-ace-the-school-year/ 

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