Unlocking Zk's Potential: A Kumon Journey

Wednesday, January 31, 2024 0 comments

For over six months, Zk has actively engaged in Kumon worksheets πŸ“‘, covering Reading and Math subjects. As his parents, we deliberately made this choice πŸ’‘ to address potential gaps in his regular kindergarten classes (one of the steps we took when we switched from private to public this school year 🎯--and that's another blog post for another time πŸ’»). 

Thankfully, enrolling Zk in Kumon turned out to be a wise decision, even exceeding our expectations. πŸ“ˆKumon not only improved his academics but also instilled discipline. As his study partners, it required us to invest time, patience, and established a new family routine to assist him with his worksheets, even considering Kumon now in our vacation plans ✈️, ensuring his worksheets are packed, and dedicating specific Kumon time in our travel schedule πŸ“. Now, Zk independently manages Kumon tasks, showing self-reliance, especially in Math πŸ”’. And our main role has shifted to carefully reviewing his work, influenced by his growing competitiveness. Funny that sometimes, he even reminds us if a session is going to be missed—goes to show how Kumon taught him the importance of following a routine. ⏰

Kumon also taught him important skills for everyday situations—patience, attention to details, time management, problem-solving, and precision in his work output. πŸ’― Zk's ability to adapt is more noticeable now as he easily switches between English in Kumon and Cebuano in his public school, all while maintaining consistent comprehension. πŸ’­ His heightened awareness of progress compared to his classmates further makes him more responsible for his acquired skills. At times, he shares with us how he assists his classmates by interpreting instructions and ensuring their understanding of tasks. ✅ And whenever he unintentionally encounters inappropriate words, he immediately displays responsibility by refraining from using or repeating those. 🚫

Btw, we think Zk already had those skills before Kumon, but the program took them to a new level, refining his natural potential.  πŸ§ 

As parents, our role in ensuring Zk's success with Kumon highlights the importance of replicating this support in his regular classes. πŸ‘©‍🏫 While Zk's teachers offer valuable guidance, Owen and I ensure he completes the necessary tasks to achieve the expected outcome, whether in Kumon or his regular classes--which translates to confirming the meanings of words we thought we knew well, or finding creative ways to explain concepts to our curious 6-year-old. πŸ€”

Kumon has further demonstrated the effectiveness of a systematic and tested learning approach. πŸ“š Previously, we thought that our traditional assistance during Zk's pre-Kumon days was enough. But Kumon has shown us the significance of a more structured and sustainable educational method that caters to Zk's learning style and facilitates long-term adaptation. πŸ‘Œ

Looking ahead, we're excited to introduce Kumon to his younger brother, Rn πŸ‘Ά, expecting similar positive outcomes when he's ready for the program. Overall, we've seen how Kumon has not only enhanced Zk's skills and discipline but has also brought about changes in our role as parents. πŸ‘¨‍πŸ‘©‍πŸ‘¦ We believe the lasting impact of the Kumon program will prepare him for the remaining school years πŸ“–, guiding him as he advances through various grades, and ultimately choosing a course or path aligned with his abilities and aspirations. πŸŽ“

UPDATE:

As of February 14, 2024, Zk has earned a place of distinction in the Advanced Student Honor Roll (ASHR) - November cut-off for Reading subject, by advancing 6 months ahead of school grade level. πŸŽ–️

 

Zk is currently enrolled at Kumon Buhangin Davao CenterFor more information, you may contact their Facebook pagethe provided number (0916 608 9805), or visit the center at the following address:

πŸ“Km. 5 Purok Sto. Rosario, Buhangin (2F of Davao Central Convenience Store, in front of Rusi), Davao City, Philippines, 8000

I Love You Jzeck Rouy (No Strikethroughs Needed)

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

A full-blown note to express how I feel about our baby Zk as I go back to the real world today which will leave me missing this little soul whom I spent--if not for the quick trips (that each minute felt an hour spent) to the grocery store--almost 100% of my 60-day maternity leave...

Zk, I will miss your thousand facial expressions from your default unamused emoji-perfect πŸ˜’ face to relatable poop-coming-soon face... transitioning to amazed-by-Earth-object expression, or giving me that what-are-you-doing-Mama face... and every sort of expression you make trying to work out this whole no-yaya thing especially that there has been nobody to accompany your Mama except for the occasional-to-the-rescue-Papa-Owen, taking his emergency leave just to calm you down--making him your first official superhero... πŸ˜…

Zk, I will miss your LOUD uhaaaa-uhaaaas (just please stop being sooooo kyut even with your vibrating mouth srsly calling for immediate attention), best aktor worthy subtle sobs--successfully tricking us each time just to pick you up from the crib, heartbreaking cry with real tears--leaving us with feelings of self-reproach...same as I will miss your beautiful smile--capturing our deepest soul, pogiboi smirks--giving us a glimpse of how you would grow up catching attention, those playtime moments of crackling laughter that are such out-of-this-world bliss... I will certainly miss all emotions you share with your Mama, acting as human as possible--showcasing so much personality in which I would insist to your Papa that you are a boss pretending to be a baby just like that one in the movie--stretching your way to toddler-hood as fast as possible (will you stay my baby for a loooong while please?). And with this new experience, I have fully equipped myself with bankable skill--a worthy addition to my resumΓ©--adept in conversing with another person who could perfectly articulate two or three ahhhs and ohhhs or a combo of those or making kyut sounds...assuming on my end that I totally understand what you are trying to communicate, pinging back ahhhs and ohhhs in a morse-code-way of response. πŸ˜‚

Zk, this has been the longest period in my life that I have been touched by another soul...so much...that the time spent felt really short even if I was with you working this mom-baby simulation round the clock, 24 hours a day.. 7 days a week...for the past 2 months... and while there were days when I would feel guilty being sick... not able to perfectly fulfill my job as a mother... that I would fall back...or cry hard...for feeling all sorts of pain and/or suffering illnesses from discomfort associated with breastfeeding...to new-parenthood-syndrome a.k.a. lack of sleep...or with all the Milo-energy draining out of me due to the overwhelming daily household tasks other than taking care of a newborn...know that, I would always choose going through all of that if it means spending more time with you...and on a sidenote, I wish Du30 had already approved the maternity leave extension... 😐

Zk, I have to report back for work so I would be able to secure your first shares on the stock market... for Papa and I see you becoming better and much smarter stock and forex trader than us... πŸ˜‰ But srsly, both Mama and Papa have greater responsibility of preparing a "bullish" future for you so please stay kyut and act the way you "babied" with me and spend those 13 hours each weekday with Mommy-la while I am away at work pumping milk in between. πŸ’»πŸΌ

Zk, we will make more meaningful and quality Mama-Baby bonding moments even if we cannot do it full 60-day straight anymore. I cannot wait seeing you grow up and more conscious each day. Your Papa and I love you so much and our world has since been more beautiful with you in it. πŸ’‘πŸ‘ΆπŸ’•


 P.S. (you may stop reading at this point...or NOT πŸ˜‚)

And though I mostly spend googling my actions as a mom, I basically trust my inner mother's instinct..it just comes out naturally..or by relying on a simple philosophy of asking--would it hurt Zk when you do that, then do not do that. πŸ˜ƒ Also, I constantly seek or consult from other mothers like from my mom and Owen's, my equally momshie friends and relatives. πŸ“’✒  

To all moms out there, "I get it now". It is a daunting task to be a full-time mom...but taking care of this baby boy is the most fulfilling job yet...and it brings so much wonder to look forward to the days that Owen and I get to be Zk's parents for the rest of our lives.  Thank you Lord for I do not know what I've done in the past to deserve such great blessing at this point in my life. I am surely loving this new role...a wife to Jowen and mother to Jzeck Rouy. Really. Blessed. πŸ‘©πŸ†πŸ”“