Did you struggle with math as a kid? Many people do, and statistics reveal that the problem isn’t going away.
Fourth graders scored 1 point better on the 2019 math assessment versus the 2017 test. But their 8th-grade counterparts scored 1 point worse.
Don’t let your kids struggle with math! How kids learn math makes a big difference in whether they master it or fail. But getting math help from the well-known Kumon is often expensive and time-consuming.
Are you looking for Kumon alternatives? Keep reading for the top 5 Kumon alternatives for learning math.
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What Is Kumon?
Kumon is an educational tutoring program designed by Toru Kumon in 1954 in Japan. It consists of 30-minute daily assignments, totaling seven assignments per week.
Twice a week, children complete their assignments at a Kumon center under the supervision of an instructor. Kumon offers math and reading programs.
Kumon doesn’t work well if you don’t have a center in a convenient location. Kumon locations are franchises, so prices vary depending on the owner. Costs run anywhere from $80 to $100 per subject plus registration and material fees.
What Kumon Alternatives Exist?
1. Sylvan
Sylvan offers personalized tutoring programs in math and reading. Sylvan-certified teachers guide children through the Sylvan method. Programs come in monthly packages or hourly personalized tutoring.
2. Mathnasium
Mathnasium is a math-only teaching center. Like other tutoring programs, Mathnasium is a proprietary method of teaching.
Larry Martinek is the educator who designed the Mathnasium method. There are Mathnasium franchises throughout the world. Programs start at the elementary school level and go through high school.
Find a comparison of Mathnasium vs Sylvan and other programs here.
3. Huntington Learning Center
Like Sylvan and Mathnasium, Huntington is a learning center with locations nationwide.
After an evaluation, an instructor develops an individual tutoring plan. Huntington offers math, reading, and science. As with the other programs, costs vary depending on how much time your child needs with a tutor.
4. Smartick
Smartick is a stand-alone artificial intelligence program. The program works on a tablet or computer. The sessions are about 15 minutes and help kids maintain their skills when not in school.
There are video tutorials and a “tutor web” but there’s no one-on-one tutoring.
5. Thinkster Math
Thinkster is an innovative program combining real tutors with at-home, online learning. Tutors collect and track your child’s progress through a “digital paper” system. No worries about toting your kids to a learning center with Thinkster.
Tutors create individualized plans based on the initial assessment of your child’s skills. Tutors use one-on-one whiteboard sessions for help with challenging problems or answering questions.
There are varying plans available with discounts for quarterly payment plans.
Get Your Kids Up to Speed!
Grasping math skills at the elementary level is crucial. If your kids need help and Kumon isn’t in your budget, there are Kumon alternatives.
Most tutoring centers offer a proprietory teaching method and you’ll need to take your kids to the center. Smartick is a home-based learning method that doesn’t offer one-on-one guidance.
Thinkster is a home-based program offering one-on-one guidance. Whatever program you choose, it’s important to get your kids up to speed in math.
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