Singapore math program makes a difference in Phl
The thrust to make kids learn and love math is becoming an impassioned cause for the people behind Seriously Addictive Math (SAM) – the program that is making a difference in many parts of the world including the Philippines.
SAM is a multi-awarded international Singapore math enrichment program that has grown to more than 100 facilities spanning 16 countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, Brunei and Malaysia.
The company was founded by Samuel Chia and Lau Chin Loong who are passionate about child education and have the intention of bringing the best and most successful mathematics curriculum to children around the world.
After the first Philippine branch was opened in San Juan, succeeding centers were opened in Marikina, Enderun College at Bonifacio Global City and West Avenue QC. SAM’s learning facilities can also be found in Angeles City, Pampanga; Binangonan, Rizal; Tanauan, Lipa and Rosario in Batangas; Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao.
With a growing number of parents wanting to enroll their children in SAM, four more centers are set to open soon: White Plains, Lower Bicutan, Imus in Cavite and Zamboanga.
According to Hsien Naidu, founder of Enrich Asia Pte Ltd, the company which brought SAM to the Philippines, more and more Filipino parents have started appreciating Singapore Math for the positive effect it has had on their children.
One of the most distinct advantages of SAM is its small class ratio, and the belief in not spoon feeding children the methods and answers. It does not teach through rote learning and memorization but rather focuses on conceptual understanding using individualized teaching and concrete examples.
SAM inculcates independent learning, diligence and discipline as it gives more importance to conceptual understanding and critical thinking.
SAM’s principles also aid a child in resolving non-routinary, open-ended and real-life situations and problems.
As kids have started to embrace math because of SAM, parents have also started to realize the benefits of SAM on their children.
Erni Hayati, whose child is enrolled in SAM’s center in Marikina, remarked: “My son used to hate math because his teacher taught the subject so fast that he could barely understand. But just after attending a few sessions at SAM, he started to like it more and has now even shown genuine interest in math.”