Kumon
1-800-ABC-MATH
Kumon is a unique program and involves a serious commitment on the part of parents and students. Because of this, it is important for you to know as much as possible about Kumon before you make the decision to enroll. Please contact our center if you have any questions!
Kumon’s Roots
Unlike many contemporary educational theories, Kumon began not as an abstract concept, but from practical, real-life experience.
• Kumon began in 1954 with a father, Mr. Toru Kumon, wanting to help his own children.
• With his experience as a secondary school teacher, Mr. Kumon developed a series of worksheets containing the essentials leading to high school math.
• The Kumon Method spread from the Kumon family home to the rest of the country, and eventually around the world. Globally, Kumon is currently helping more than 3 million students to improve their skills.
The Kumon Philosophy
“Every child possesses the ability to learn beyond expectations. Learning occurs most efficiently when:
a) the level of the material corresponds exactly to the learner’s level of ability; and
b) the rate of progress is controlled by the student, not the teacher.
If students are studying at this “just right” level, we will discover the potential with which each individual is endowed. By expanding that gift to its utmost limit, we will develop sound, responsible adults.”
- Toru Kumon, Founder
What is Kumon?
• Kumon develops basic learning skills as well as the basics in math and reading. Toru Kumon saw teaching math and reading as a means through which you could also teach children study skills, independence, and responsibility.
• Kumon is an individualized approach that is based on ability, not age. Students develop confidence and a positive attitude through self-paced progress and genuine achievement.
• Individualization is the cornerstone of the Kumon Method. Students succeed and build confidence when they are given the challenges that are just right for their current ability. All students, whether they have come to Kumon to catch up or get ahead, begin with work that is comfortable for them, and advance at their own pace, there is no discouraging pressure to compete with those more advanced, nor is anyone held back to wait for those less advanced. Students soon learn that it’s their individual performance that determines their rate of progress. This encourages them to take individual responsibility for their work and for their success.
• Kumon develops self-reliance through a study system that emphasizes independent learning.
Why Kumon?
• Although parents throughout North America are accustomed to the extra-curricular sports and music programs, supplementary academic programs are a relatively recent phenomenon, especially for children in elementary school.
• However, many parents have realized that math and reading are the two most fundamental subjects in the curriculum. A strong foundation in these areas is necessary for success in school.
• Starting Kumon in elementary school is not too soon; in fact, many students begin Kumon in pre-school or kindergarten. It’s important not to wait for children to experience difficulty before putting a priority on academics. At school, the level of difficulty increases dramatically from elementary school to junior high, and from junior high to high school. By high school, concepts are being introduced at a very rapid pace.
• Kumon aims to give children a head start in elementary school. By establishing a rock-solid foundation in basic mathematics, reading and reading comprehension, you can help your children avoid frustration and struggle later.
The Goal of Kumon
• The goal of Kumon is a long-term one – to make high school study easy.
• The math curriculum even prepares students for college/university.
• Kumon is not an exam preparation course, not a quick-fix tutorial service. Our program is designed to provide the foundation hat students will need for success in the long run.
The Kumon Program – for Both Enrichment and Remedial Purposes
• Almost half of all Kumon students are working at or above grade level. Some students come to Kumon because they are having difficulty, but eventually begin to excel. Other students have never had difficulty, but come to Kumon to be challenged by advanced work.
• The reason that Kumon can work for such a wide range of students is due to its individualized nature.
The Kumon Curriculum
• Kumon covers material from preschool to post-secondary level in math and for preschool to high school in reading. Kumon achieves this through a progression of incremental steps. In practical terms, the program consists of levels moving from 7A, 6A, to A and up alphabetically. Each level consists of 20 sets of 10 worksheets, or 200 worksheets per level. Each worksheet has an S.C.T. (Standard Completion Time).
• The Kumon Program does not use textbooks. Consistent with Kumon’s belief in learning by doing, Kumon students progress through the program by successfully completing worksheets. Kumon is constantly revising and improving its worksheets, adding new problems, altering sets that may have probed to difficult or too easy, and increasing or decreasing the number of problems in certain areas. These revisions are made by observing actual students working to advance through the materials. The goal of worksheet revision is always to enable students to advance and progress as smoothly as possible towards high school material.
The Kumon Instructor
• is carefully screened and trained by Kumon North America;
• participates in ongoing training through workshops, seminars and conferences;
• is responsible for the overall operation as well as reviewing and planning the work for every student; and
• is always available to answer questions and discuss student progress.
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