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Irene says
shen li,
what is the difference between heguru and shichida? I think Gavin has attended both classes, what do you find that they do differently?
thanks.
Irene Ng says
Hi there, They are going to start a pre-school program? That means like a kindy? That would be interesting. Because part of the reason I dont go is because it needs daily practice and I cannot do that. But I think if it is daily, it will be VERY expensive! Haha! Thanks for sharing!
Joey says
A convincing article! I’m still contemplating between Shichida & Heguru for my one year-old. The waiting list in the former is horrendous and while it’s more convenient to travel there, I don’t mind driving the extra distance to Heguru from what you mentioned. If we are still not offered a spot in Shichida for its April intake, Heguru it is for sure! Thanks, Shen-Li.
Shen-Li says
Actually, Gavin has never attended Shichida. I have read a lot about the Shichida Method through books, but that is about all I know about their classes. I do know mothers who have attended both Heguru and Shichida and it sounds like the program is pretty similar. There are some minor differences. For instance, I was told the Shichida program is slower. The children also do more puzzle-like activities, although I think that is changing in Heguru because I’ve noticed an increase in puzzle activities for the kids since Gavin first started.
The general program is pretty similar because both Shichida and Heguru stem from the same source. All I know is that there was some falling out and they split into two separate schools. I cannot tell you much else about Shichida classes but I can tell you what is happening in Heguru. According to Ruiko Henmi, they are about to speed up the classes at Heguru and speed is the essence of right brain education. They are also implementing a new program which they have been using in Japan with great success. What I can see in Heguru is that they are constantly updating their program and changing it to make it better. The support from their headquarters is Japan is strong and their founders are committed to the team in Malaysia. That gives me a lot of confidence that Heguru is a good right brain school.
Without knowing more about the Shichida school, I’m afraid I can’t tell you much else about them.
Shen-Li says
Irene – actually it isn’t like kindy. It is a new pre-school class – once a week like they have now – but following the program they are running currently in Japan that has had more success. I think even if you think you can’t do home practice, it is worth while to consider doing the classes with Ben. Whatever you do at home – reading, flash cards, memory linking – if he will do it, then you do it, if he doesn’t want to, then you leave it until he is ready. Ruiko Henmi says the children go through phases and you just have to cater to your child’s individual needs.
Shen-Li says
Joey – Yeah, the waiting list at Shichida put me off as well, plus it was a lot less convenient for me to get there anyway. But based on everything I’ve been seeing and hearing, I am very glad my son is at Heguru. I plan to send my second son soon, too. I sent him when he was a baby, but I stopped because he couldn’t sit still. But now I think this is definitely the program to go all out for, so it’s better if we figure out how to help him settle into the class. Ruiko Henmi has suggested using the 5 minute suggestion, so I’m going to try that.
Chan says
Hi Shen-Li, Irene & Joey,
I’ve sent my kids (age 4+ & 14+mths) to Shichida, TweedleWink and Heguru.
Some parents I’ve spoken to have certain preference for their children. For example, in Shichida (toddlers class) they ‘input’ colors with flashcards followed by ‘output’, hands on activities about colors. Some parents like it because they say it’s got input and output. At Heguru, everything are done at ‘super speed’ and their input activities seem to be more than output but these are changing rite? They are already teaching 600, 700, ft, sq, km, hectare etc to infants. At former TweedleWink, my son loves the movements, the perfect pitch sessions and both love the flashcards dvds (I hug & sit with them while watching it most times).
It really depends on what you’d like your kids learn, if they enjoy the class, if you believe in the school’s philosophies, location convenience, schedules and budget. Shen-Li has got great articles to help shed the light.
We are really blessed to have all the best right brain schools and tools in Malaysia. And let’s pray that we are raising a remarkable generation – wise, brilliant & compassionate 😉
Shen-Li says
Chan – yes it is so important for parents to feel comfortable with the school they are sending their child to. Children feed off our emotions so if we feel uncomfortable, unhappy or if we disagree with any of the philosophies, it will have a negative impact on our children’s learning experience. We are indeed very lucky to have a choice to choose between three right brain schools where some parents in other countries have none. Each school has its own strengths and as much as I would love to send my children to all three, financial constraints require me to choose. I have found it very hard to make that choice because there are elements I like in both TW and Heguru. I, too, hug my children when we watch the TW DVDs.
Hasnaa says
Thank you all very much for your contribution through this very informative and eye opener articles and comments.
I belong to the category of the parents who have no schools of right brain education whatsoever int he region where I live (United Arab Emirates)
Can you please let me know if there is anything or any course that I can do on line or via books …etc to educate my child myself?
Please help me and guide me if there is any way to achieve that.
Many many thanks
Hasnaa
Shen-Li says
Hi Hasnaa,
My pleasure. I am glad to be able to share what I know. Thank you for reading my blog.
Online courses, there is one by Right Brain Kids – They have the TweedleWink and Wink Programs which teach parents how to develop their children’s right brains. TW is for 0-6 and wink is for children 4 years and above (and even adults, too). This is the same group that does the TweedleWink program locally. Their online program teaches parents how to do their own right brain development program at home. They also have a range of products and activities available from their online store.
Shichida wrote a number of books on right brain education. There are four which are written in English (the rest are in Chinese and Japanese). You can buy them directly from the Shichida Japan website. The problem with these books is that they aren’t very specific with the methodology. Another book is Quantum Speed Reading by Yumiko Tobitani. You can read the program outline here:
https://www.figur8.net/right-brain-training-home-practice-guide/
https://www.figur8.net/quantum-speed-reading-practice-program-for-children/
https://www.figur8.net/quantum-speed-reading-practice-program-for-adults/
I also have a list of right brain activities that you can do at home here:
https://figur8.net/baby/2010/07/27/right-brain-activities-for-home-practice-part-1/
Hope that helps!