Thursday, December 25, 2014

數猴皇漫畫 - 聖誕大合唱

又到聖誕又到聖誕,今日聖誕節,出街係咪周圍都聽到有人報佳音呢? Math Monkey一眾成員都為大家大合唱,報佳音,不過首歌會令你有意想不到嘅驚喜!

如果想觀賞更多數猴皇漫畫,請前往http://www.mathmonkey.com.hk/comic.php

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

數猴皇祝願大家聖誕節快樂!

不知不覺,又黎到2014年嘅尾聲,聽日就係聖誕節喇 ! 數猴皇祝願各位家長同小朋友聖誕快樂,一齊享受美滿嘅假期!

Monday, December 22, 2014

兒童快報 / 媽咪快報 1028期 - Nov 28, 2014


『甚麼為大』

孩子總渴望快些成為大人,以為大人可吃一個套餐、自己出街、開車等,有些東西孩子想自己做,家長會說「等你大個啲先」。 我們經常對孩子提及到「大」,但你有沒有教孩子甚麼稱為「大」呢?「大」的概念如何建立呢?現在就讓我們一起探索和學習「大」的概念。

追求「大」
現代人什麼都西都要追求越大越好,手機屏幕要大,容量要大等,「大」的概念需要有兩樣東西的比較才能建立。與孩子一起學習時,家長只須伸出手掌和孩子手掌比較,「你數一下這裡一共有多少隻手指?」、「你記得之前學數字5時,每一根手指的名稱嗎?」、「誰的手指比較長?」、「還可以用什麼方法比較手掌大少?」,當孩子說了幾種方法之後,再引導他們比較其他物品的大小。讓他們選擇較大的物品,如果孩子能掌握,可與他們擊掌以示鼓勵。

認識新朋友
Dog狗
Chicken雞
Cow牛
Frog青蛙
Sheep綿羊

「大個啲就會明」
孩子成長過程中,對身邊的事物充滿好奇心,例如常會問:「為何飛機可以飛?」家長聽了問題後,會耐心解答,抑或說「你長大後便會明白。」孩子成長時,如沒有人向他們解釋,又是否真的「長大後便會明」?孩子對新事物好奇,在探索過程中因「長大後便會明白」而終止自然的學習過程,這樣會降低孩子的學習動機。建議家長可以讓孩子思考問題十分鐘,聽聽孩子的說法,之後再解釋「當飛機飛行的時候空氣分別從機翼上下兩面流過,由於機翼的設計讓上面空氣流經的速度快些,從下面流的速度慢,於是飛機就會飛起來。」家長可能會擔心孩子聽了也未必會明,讓孩子聯繫熟悉的東西,在大腦中建立記憶,將來長大了就真正會明白。

========================================================
關紫悠 (Karen Kwan) 
Math Monkey (Hong Kong) Ltd. 總經理
致力發展創新的教育理念,利用吠陀數學結合遊戲成為全港獨有兒童數學教育中心,加入腦基礎(Brian-based)的課程設計,幫助小朋友建立數學頭腦,培養孩子成為明日領袖。
Tel: 2307 1028
E-mail: enquiry@mathmonkey.com.hk

更多資訊:http://www.mathmonkey.com.hk/

學生Trini Chan向九龍灣分校老師送上一張D.I.Y聖誕卡!



琴日,九龍灣分校老師都非常高興,點解? 因為收到學生Trini Chan親手整比我地嘅聖誕卡同朱古力! 


Trini係九龍灣分校學習有一年半時間,擅長畫畫,而今次聖誕卡嘅封面、內頁都係由Trini親手繪畫同設計,再透過打印將佢嘅畫工同聖誕卡結合,成為呢張獨一無二嘅D.I.Y.聖誕卡! 收到Trini一番心意,我地都特別感動同溫暖,希望Trini同其他數猴皇學生都可以過一個暖笠笠嘅聖誕節啦!



想知道更多有關數猴皇學生嘅感受,請瀏灠http://www.mathmonkey.com.hk/students.php


Friday, December 19, 2014

Math Monkey威力直捲亞洲,今次接受了來自馬來西亞的親子雜誌「 Parenthood Magazine」專訪!



Can you solve 93x97 in just five seconds?


Kids at Math Monkey can! Incorporating the magic of Vedic Math along with the MathBrain programme in its Brain-based Learning methodology, and housed under the roof 'Play to Learn', Math Monkey's curriculum diverges from mainstream computations and guides kids to number crunch big digits quickly and easily while keeping spirits high! 

There are two types of students in this world- those who love Math; and on the other polar end, those who despise Math. Only a single hand was raised in response to the question, "Who loves Math?" at the launch of Math Monkey in Malaysia. And that hand belonged to Associate Professor Madya Dr Tay Choo Chuan, a dad and lecturer at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, under the Mechatronic Engineering Department at University Teknikal Malaysia Me/aka who holds a degree and obtained a doctorate in Mathematics from the University Kebangsaan Malaysia (so, no surprise there!) Throughout his years in teaching, Dr. Tay has published numerous journals in relation to Mathematics. He has been actively involved in writing journals at university level, and Mathematics books for primary school students. According to him, the beauty of Math can be hindered by the lack of ability to find x, to be able to integrate, and to find flux. Typically, the students who wear the 'I Hate Math' badge are the ones who struggle to get an equation right and find themselves wronged again and again. But there are other factors as well, as shared by Karen Kwan, Director of Math Monkey Asia (based in Hong Kong) Limited, and Dr Caroline Kwok (also known as Dr Brain), Founder of MegaBrain Institute, Hong Kong, who has dedicated 30 years into studying the human brain and learning which includes areas such as Neuroscience and Neuropsychology. 

Karen added that one other contributing factor is the rigid Math curriculum in schools which emphasises rote memorisation and in finding correct answers rather than appreciating the stroll to the solutions. Dr Tay agreed and further added that it is poorly taught by teachers who themselves do not like it. don't have a deep understanding of it, and project fear instead of inspiration onto their students, thus, adding insult to injury. However, MathMonkey begs to differ by walking its students on the road of deep appreciation for the beauty in Math, with its application of 'Play to Learn' enhanced by the Vedic Math curriculum in an aim to develop a MathBrain in kids. Dr Caroline coined this as 'Impactful Learning'. "Start from young. Don't wait till it's too late." advised Dr Tay, who had many years of experience tutoring older students whose parents seek his help only when national exams are round the corner and dealing with the deep regret in most of them. "Math just doesn't work that way!" he said. 

The one thing that stood out for me at the launch was the wise incorporation of the Vedic Math curriculum! One doesn't usually come across the addition of Vedic Math, an ancient Math methodology from India in many curriculums or syllabi, be it mainstream or not. If we did, most of us today would have become Mathematicians or Statisticians because it omits long-windedness and rote memorisation, and instead shows us how simple, fun yet challenging Math can actually be! Perhaps, even the need for the invention for calculators wouldn't have arisen!

Faster than Calculators with Vedic Math
Every kid learns how to add, subtract, multiply and divide at school. So, why should we replace those algorithms with 'Vedic Math'? Simply because it diverges from mainstream computations in way that provides for shortcuts, and hence, makes number crunching even for big digits faster, easier, and more effective. With shortcuts, kids can spend the spared time to explore Math further. 

There is more than a single manner to reach the right solution in Math. According to Karen and a matter of fact, there are seven different ways to solve a sum in Math, and Vedic Math provides for the simplest way. At the launch of Math Monkey, to the wow's, whoa's, and aah's from the surprised and amazed members of the media, Karen demonstrated the wonder of Vedic Math.

Vedic Math is the term coined to a set of 16 sutras (or formulas) discovered during the Vedic period, from 1500 to 800 B.C. Currently gaining the much deserved fame, Vedic Math highlights the true understanding of the relationship between numbers and numerical symbols. Besides rapid number crunches, Vedic Math is also a way to build on a kid's critical thinking and develop his or her problem solving skills.

Play To Learn

Karen believes that game based lessons simply build a magical bridge that links learning with fun. While involved in a mathematical game or two, kids can get the opportunity to interact with others, share ideas, discuss solutions, compete, accept failure and celebrate victory together. Through this way, Math Monkey hopes to improve kids' communication and interpersonal skills, language, EQ. and cognitive and physical developments.

Moreover, while playing games, children are motivated to learn, thus developing these five major brain abilities: Attention, Visual, Memory, Logical Reasoning and Processing Speed.

About the MathBrain

The human brain has a natural learning process. MathBrain strengthens on these natural processes to enhance the brain when solving mathematical problems.

Children learn more effectively when they are wholly engaged in the subject at hand. As such, traditional methods of learning that is purely based on memorisation and practice drills need to evolve to incorporate elements that enrich the five basic brain abilities - attention, processing speed, logical reasoning, memory and visual. With enhanced cognitive reasoning, it is easier for children to absorb abstract concepts and apply them when solving problems, in and out of the classroom," stated Dr Caroline. The MathBrain, founded by Karen, is the ability to gather accurate information from a math problem, figure out the different ways possible to solve the problem and apply appropriate formulas to solve them fast and accurate. Both Dr Tay and Karen agreed that for kids to love and learn Math, they have to be taught to understand and appreciate how to get to the solution rather than focus on getting the right answers. After all, the discovery of new paths is through trial and error! 

Above all, a personal touch of motivation and encouragement from parents and teachers can go a long way in getting kids to enjoy doing Math! "This C is good, now you're on way to getting an A," said my Math teacher, when I was 13 years old. Gradually, the C became a string of A and I began to carve a niche for Math!

So, let your kids pride in beating calculators to the punch with Vedic Math and a MathBrain! For further details, browse over towww.mathmonkey.com.my.


Wednesday, December 17, 2014

兒童快報 / 媽咪快報 1025期 - Nov 14, 2014

探索少的概念


都市人越來越注重健康,去到餐廳,點完餐叫飲品時都喜歡「少甜」、「少奶」、「少冰」;在家煮飯時就「少油」、「少鹽」、「少糖」;又會叮囑孩子「吃少啲零食」、「吃少啲糖」、「吃少啲朱古力」;我們經常提及「少」,你知道幼兒對「少」的概念是如何建立的嗎?現在就讓我們一起探索並學習「少」。

建立數量的概念,才能掌握「少」
學完數字一二三四五,孩子記得數字「1」只是一個稱為「壹」的圖形,還是有其它的意思?數字「1」可以代表一樣東西或物件,我們可以如此類推去理解數字「2,3,4..」的含義,因此,與孩子一起數物品可以幫助建立數字與數量的關係,父母可以在外出用膳時,不經意地問孩子:「我們今日有多少個人一起吃飯?」,「餐桌上有多少隻碟?」,「一會兒外婆過來一起吃飯,碟夠不夠?她有沒有飯吃?」,「少了一隻碟可以怎樣做?」。和孩子討論「少」這一個概念前,先要引導孩子理解相關的數量,才可比較,知道「少」了些什麼。

認識新朋友
Tiger 老虎
Lion獅子
Rabbit免子
Turtle烏龜
Giraffe長頸鹿
Hourse馬

說孩子理解的話(三)
中國是禮儀之邦,家長從小就教導孩子「有禮貌」,那何謂有禮貌呢?無論在學校或社會,禮儀都是人際關係中重要的一環。家長很緊張孩子在學校老師心中的印象,經常提醒對孩子「見到校長和老師要說早晨,離開時要說再見!」、「有人幫你要說謝謝」一系列清晰教導孩子如何稱為有禮貌的指示,孩子亦很乖在人前打招呼,父母在後面聽到也很開心欣慰。除了言教外,身教亦很重要。父母每次見到其他家長時本身亦會熱烈地打招呼,言行合一,能讓孩子明白並模仿怎樣做。這種溝通模式亦正是教育方面所需注意的地方,從孩子的角度出發,引導式學習,才能達到最佳學習成效。

========================================================
關紫悠 (Karen Kwan)
Math Monkey (Hong Kong) Ltd. 總經理
致力發展創新的教育理念,利用吠陀數學結合遊戲成為全港獨有兒童數學教育中心,加入腦基礎(Brian-based)的課程設計,幫助小朋友建立數學頭腦,培養孩子成為明日領袖。
Tel: 2307 1028
E-mail: enquiry@mathmonkey.com.hk

數猴皇每月之星 - Fung Fung (紅磡分校@11月 2014



光陰似箭,轉眼已來到十二月這個浪漫的季節,相信大家都很期待十一月的每月之星到底花落誰家呢? 他就是來自數猴皇醒目兒童教育中心紅磡分校的Fung Fung!

Fung Fung於紅磡Math Monkey分校學習接近半年時間,在Lydia老師悉心指導下,成功令他自發性學習,完成課堂練習的速度越來越快。Fung Fung媽媽表示他的專注力和記憶力有明顯的進步,學校的成績和表現更是大躍進,讚揚Math Monkey對他在學習的路途上有莫大裨益! Fung Fung每次來到Math Monkey後都不願離去,因為他說很喜歡在這裡一邊玩遊戲,一邊學數學! 我們聽到Fung Fung的說話也倍感欣慰,並承諾會繼續努力,繼續令其他孩子愛上數學!

想知道我們其他的每月之星,歡迎瀏灠http://www.mathmonkey.com.hk/star.php

Time flies, we are already in this romantic December. We are sure that you are wondering about who is our “Star of Month” in November. He is Fung Fung from Hung Hom Math Monkey MathBrain Centre!

Fung Fung has been learning at Hung Hom centre since six months ago, Teacher Lydia successfully let him achieve inner motivation to learn, he can settle the math problem faster than before. Fung Fung’s mother said that there is an obvious improvement, especially in his attention and memory ability, and she appreciates that Math Monkey benefits him a lot in getting better result and performance in school. Fung Fung loves Math Monkey so much because he can play games and learn math at the same time! We are really gratified to know Fung Fung’s comment, and we promise that we will keep trying our best to make children to love Math!


If you want to know more about our Star of the Month, please visit http://www.mathmonkey.com.hk/star.php

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

兒童快報 / 媽咪快報 1024期 - Nov 07, 2014

『思考顏色』


你知道英國的國寶級美食是什麼嗎?這很容易在香港的小食店中找到這些食物的影子,估到了嗎?那就是炸魚薯條(Fish&Chips)!這兩種食物和紅色的茄汁簡直是絕配。很多小朋友都喜歡吃這兩種食物,而且鍾情於某間以紅黃色為主色連鎖快餐店,除了食物之外,你還有想過是什麼原因嗎?當你進入那間快餐店時有什麼感覺?是不是開心、活潑和熱情的感覺?學習顏色除了單純的認識名稱外,感受顏色帶給你的感覺,可以讓孩子對生活中某些顏色的應用會有更深的了解,同時能啟發多角度思維。

保持好奇心
每次和孩子出外,經過修路地點的時候,你看到通常包圍著工地的是什麼顏色的路障?落雨時在商場內顯示小心地滑的警告牌是什麼顏色?你每次看到這些指示牌時有什麼感覺?愉快?高貴?溫暖?緊張?為什麼這些警告牌是黃色的呢?如果是紅色那效果又會有什麼不同?這些是生活中經常有機會遇到,你有沒有好奇過使用這些顏色是什麼原因?問完孩子後,他們的答案可以充滿想像力,你可以用「係喔,還有呢?」、「呢個都有可能,仲有冇?」等引導孩子思考想更多可能性,當說出四,五答案之後,再問孩子你覺得那個原因最有可能,為什麼?聽孩子說完之後,家長再加以補充說明。這討論過程中既可激發孩子思維發展,亦避免單向式說教,孩子參與討論的過程對事物認知會深刻,自然可以減少「你教過我但係我唔記得」的情況出現。

教育需要說孩子能理解的話(二)
你對孩子學習上有什麼期望?當家長送孩子去學習時經常勉勵他們,「上堂專心的」,「留心聽老師的話,唔好發白日夢」,這些都是家長在教導孩子時的溫馨提示,但你認為孩子聽了,知道如何做嗎?可嘗試問孩子: 「什麼叫專心?」聽下孩子的答案,你就會知道為何有時他們聽了也不做,因為根本不明白如何去做!家長可嘗試講解「專心的」實質意思給孩子聽,由於專心這一詞很抽象,需要用例子才能解釋清楚,例如: 老師說話時要雙眼看著老師;嘗試回答老師的問題;做練習時,在桌上只能放書本及必要的文具,同一時間內只做一件事情」等。假如家長不舉具體的例子,孩子自然不懂如何將「專心的」表現出來。這樣講了等於沒講,那孩子又如何「聽話」呢?

認識新朋友
Pineapple菠蘿
Waxberry楊梅
Banana香蕉
Litchi荔枝
Pomelo柚子
Honeydew Melon蜜瓜
Tomato番茄
Lemon檸檬
Pitaya火龍果

========================================================
關紫悠 (Karen Kwan)
Math Monkey (Hong Kong) Ltd. 總經理
致力發展創新的教育理念,利用吠陀數學結合遊戲成為全港獨有兒童數學教育中心,加入腦基礎(Brian-based)的課程設計,幫助小朋友建立數學頭腦,培養孩子成為明日領袖。
Tel: 2307 1028
E-mail: enquiry@mathmonkey.com.hk

更多資訊:http://www.mathmonkey.com.hk/

Saturday, December 13, 2014

兒童尖子教育2014 No.53 - 董事分享: IB令我的孩子開心不少


兒童尖子教育2014 No.53 

董事分享:
IB令我的孩子開心不少

愈來愈多人認識IB課程,而IB學校更遍佈全球147個國家。然而IB學校的學費並不便宜,為甚麼仍有不少家長選擇讓子女入讀IB學校呢? Math Monkey的董事總經理Karen Kwan,她的三位囡囡旨就讀於IB學校,這次一於向她請教一下成為IB家長的心路歷程吧!

醒於大學時
Karen自言是個思想開放的人,所以不喜歡盲目操練的學習方式,但真正令她驚覺自己還不夠「開放」,乃是在美國讀大學的時候。她的讀書成績一向名列前茅,所以升讀美國的大學後,考試成績仍然領先於其他同學,但她卻發現自己不懂發問。課堂上,其他同學雖然成績不如她,但他們卻會想出不同的新奇主意,而且會和同學、教授熱烈地討論,這讓她意識到本地傳統教學缺乏培養學生的思考能力。問問題看似簡單,但對於習慣只為考試而溫習的人來說,發問比揮筆疾書地作答試卷可能還要來得困難。但或許受本地的讀書氛圍影響,初時安排囡囡的讀書路向,Karen仍是為大囡Kevina和二囡Kara選了傳統的直資學校。

IB學校小知識

不講可能不知,普遍IB學校每天的上課時間較傳統學校為遲,Kevina每天8時45分才開始上課。其實根據美國明尼蘇達大學一份由美國疾病控制與預防中心資助的研究報告顯示,遲上課的學生於學術表現和精神健康皆較為理想。孩子早起沒有精神,與睡眠褪黑素釋放得遲有關,遲釋放也就遲有睡意,所以早起就容易精神不振,而原來英國一般學校也是早上九時才上課的。

轉到IB學校

Kevina和Kara入讀傳統學校後,Karen發覺即使她沒有給予囡囡甚麼讀書壓力,她們還是因為來自老師的督促、同學間的無形競爭而感到吃不消。「我還很記得曾因為Kara而和她的班主任爭辯起來,老師覺得Kara的成績跟不上其他學生的進度,反問我Kara是否有學習障礙。那次我真的很生氣,老師的責任不是教好學生嗎?」對催谷式的教學失望,Karen開始物色適合囡囡的課程,結果她因為認同IB課程的教學理念和模式,而讓兩位囡囡都轉到IB學校就讀。「現在她們都會主動學習,二囡Kara會自學不同的興趣如鋼琴、畫畫和跳舞等,我沒想逼她考評級試,只是覺得她們有心自己學,比起任何填鴨式學習來得有意義,分數和證書都不是最重要,但當然成績不能太差。」

陪玩陪講

因為就讀IB課程,3個囡囡的功課量都不沉重,所以Karen不用黑著臉催促她們完成功課,而是能夠多花時間聽她們分享學校生活,好好享受親子時間。「我們經常就不同事件,表達和交流彼此的意見,即使是極具爭議性的話題,我們也能心平氣和地分享想法,我也會引導她們作更深入的思考。有時與其說我是她們的媽媽,她們更常把我當成要好的知己,甚麼也會和我討論商量。Kevina要開始選科,她很重視我的取向,但我想把決定權放在她手上,選擇她認為最適合自己和自己最喜歡的科目。」讀書始終是孩子,若然他們具備自主思考能力,家長也就可以多多放手了。

輕鬆媽媽

試想像你有3個孩子,你每天都要督促他們完成功課、溫習、練琴練舞,即使自命超人也難免會累垮。但若然小朋友是個自主的主動學習者,家長也就輕鬆多了,而親子關係也不會因為課業問題而變得緊張。Karen認為3個囡囡就讀IB課程,有助培養她們的主動性。一個人所以會持續向前,乃是由於他得到外在和內在的鼓勵,前者是物質而最為重要的乃是內在鼓勵,即心理上所得到的滿足感。看到囡囡興奮地分享自己在學校的點滴和學習成果,Karen相信她們真正從有意義的學習中得到繼續追求知識的推動力。


Friday, December 12, 2014

數猴皇教學小貼士 - 世上最大的空間,就是進步的空間


The BIGGEST room in the world is the room for IMPROVEMENT
世上最大的空間,就是進步的空間

我們常會聽說:「你還有很大的進步空間」,這句說話其實一點也不錯。世界每分每秒都在進步,不論科技、經濟和教育都一樣,日新月異。進步,是為了改善,所以人類會在各個範疇不停作研究,想創造出更好的生活,以愛迪生為例,因為他的堅毅不屈,經過無數次的失敗之後才能成功發明電燈泡,而每一次失敗之後的嘗試已經是一種進步,為最後的成功鋪上一塊又一塊穩固的基石。

而數猴皇則希望透過遊戲引發孩子的好奇心,讓他們去探索身邊的事物,繼而測試不同方法的可行性,當找出中間的規律,就可以不停重複練習,最後就可以完全掌握。在整個過程當中,難免會有挫折,但只要孩子是自發性學習的話,一定可以從中汲取經驗,每一次重新出發就是進步的表現,家長應該給予鼓勵,讓孩子知道他們的學習之路並不孤單!

想知道更多有關我們的教育理念,請瀏灠www.mathmonkey.com.hk

Tuesday, December 09, 2014

數猴皇漫畫 - 數學頭腦(四)

數猴皇漫畫 - 數學頭腦(四)
Math Monkey Comic - MathBrain (Fourth)

「數學頭腦」是一個過程,能從一條數學問題中收集準確的訊息,並利用邏輯思維拆解數學問題。Lemur和Chimpanzee都可以從問題中準確地收集所需的訊息,而讓Chimpanzee技高一籌的就是他的邏輯推理能力 ! 因為Chimpanzee將最後關鍵的1粒糖果計算在內,而得出第23粒糖果,這點卻是Lemur所忽略的。

從以上可見,腦部五大能力 - 專注、視覺處理、記憶、邏輯推理及速度對孩子未來的發展而言,實缺一不可。

如欲觀看更多數猴皇漫畫或了解更多資訊,請瀏灠http://www.mathmonkey.com.hk/comic.php

Saturday, December 06, 2014

突發! 數猴皇總經理關紫悠小姐接受日本網上媒體採訪!


突發! 我地既總經理關紫悠小姐即場接受日本著名網上媒體「Franchise Meets」採訪,大談將數猴皇教育理念與特許經營結合的成功之道!

Friday, December 05, 2014

數猴皇總經理關紫悠小姐及營運專家曾志榮先生獲邀擔任香港國際中小企博覽嘉賓講者



2014年12月4日,係香港國際中小企業博覽既開揭幕日,我地既總經理關紫悠小姐及營運專家曾志榮先生非常榮幸得到香港貿易發展局既邀請,擔任今日特許經營品牌研討會既嘉賓講者,等我地可以將數猴皇既教育理念進一步宣揚開去,傳統既單向式教授已經不合時宜,只有係遊戲中學習,先可以令小朋友得益更多,學得更快,為香港培養更多明日領袖,數猴皇絕對義不容辭!

教育,應該放眼未來!