YOUR CHILD IS ABOUT TO DISCOVER A NEW WAY OF LEARNING... and so are you
You and your child are now part of the most successful after-school learning program in the world.
We say "you and your child" because, along with your child's Kumon Instructor, you will play a huge role in helping your child become a better learner with Kumon.
Kumon will challenge your child in ways that will be new to him\her, and to you. It will also challenge you to take an even more active role in your child's daily studies, and to help him\her integrate Kumon with school, extracurricular activities, and your family life.
Kumon has helped millions of children around the world become more capable, confident students who are better equipped to take on the challenges they face throughout school, and beyond.
Kumon requires a special commitment for both you and your child. As your child begins his/her Kumon journey, it's vital that you take a critical first step as well: Spend a few moments learning more about the core concepts of Kumon.
What makes Kumon different
Things to expect from Kumon
How Kumon works
Your involvement with kumon
Congratulations on making a choice that could benefit your child for a lifetime.
KUMON DOESN'T TUTOR CHILDREN. WE MAKE THEM BETTER LEARNERS.
Most supplemental education programs have somewhat narrow mission. Their tools are tutors and textbooks, and they tend to focus on a very specific topic with which a child is struggling. For the most part, they specialize in rapidly "fixing" students who have fallen behind in a particular subject or who need to improve their test scores rapidly.
KUMON IS DIFFERENT.
While Kumon is focused on math and reading, our educational mission is much bigger than any one subject, or any one test. Kumon is not a "quick fix" and does not tutor children, but is a systematic approach to giving your child the tools to succeed in every aspect-and at every stage-of school.
In short, Kumon is committed to helping your child, over time, become a fundamentally better learner.
HOW CAN KUMON MAKE A CHILD A BETTER LEARNER?
Kumon gives children two important tools that help them learn more efficiently and effectively throughout school...and beyond.
Kumon fosters independent learning. We show them that they are capable of learning-and setting goals for themselves-without the constant intervention of a teacher or tutor. We let them discover how good it feels to figure some-thing out for themselves-to learn without being taught, in other words.
Kumon empowers them to retain what they learn. Knowledge is cumulative, especially in math and reading, where concepts build upon one another over days, weeks, semesters, and years. Kumon helps children absorb concepts permanently. Our students don't forget what they learn, so each new layer of knowledge is set on a firm foundation. Along the way, Kumon builds children's study skills, work habits, and confidence. What's more, Kumon students are quite often exceptional in their enthusiasm for learning and their eagerness to take on new challenges-qualities that serve them for a lifetime.
EXPECT A DIFFERENT KIND OF LEARNING EXPERIENCE.
Because Kumon's approach is so unique. We want to make sure you know what's ahead and can anticipate not only your child's experience with the Kumon Method, but your own.
WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT?
Your child may start Kumon at a lower academic level that you anticipated.
Your child may find Kumon repetitious or tedious at first, or complain about doing Kumon Worksheets in addition to his\her "regular" homework.
Your child's Kumon Instructor does not "teach," in the traditional sense, but rather guides you child through the Kumon curriculum.
You may need to give your child extra encouragement and support to help him adapt to a more rigorous academic routine.
Creating a better learner takes time, so you may not see results as quickly as you might hope.
In the pages that follow, we explain these and other 'Kumon differences" because we know that parents who understand what to expect from Kumon are the ones whose children gain the greatest benefits.
WHAT MAKES KUMON WORK?
Kumon is a unique learning system that has evolved through decades of experience with Kumon students worldwide. Everything we do, we do for one reason: to help your child become a better learner.
THE ELEMENTS OF KUMON - How Kumon Students Become Better Learners
The Solid Starting Point
Kumon study begins where a child's knowledge is absolutely solid, so he\she experiences success right from the start and avoids future knowledge "gaps."
Setting Goals and Working at Their Own Pace
The Kumon Instructor assesses each child's unique abilities and establishes individualized learning goals for him\her, then determines a "just right" learning pace-the precise level at which the work isn't too difficult (frustrating) or too easy (boring).
Learning "On Their Own" in Small, Gradual Steps
With the Kumon Instructor's guidance, Kumon students discover their own ability to tackle new concepts and overcome learning "hurdles" independently-a process the Kumon curriculum enables by progressing in steady but very small, manageable increments.
Practicing Every Day
Just like musicians and athletes, Kumon students sharpen their math and\or reading skills by practicing for a short time every day. It gives them disciplined study habits, helps them maintain momentum, and provides the motivation and confidence that come from frequent "small victories."
Locking in Knowledge Through Repetition
Kumon's unique system of Worksheets utilizes repetition combined with subtle variations and very gradual advancement. Kumon students master concepts by applying them again and again, until they're second nature. They don't forget what they've learned, so new knowledge is always built on a solid foundation.
REGULAR FEEDBACK- A key to Motivation and Success
The Kumon Instructor provides students with frequent, detailed feedback on their performance and their progress toward their goals. Motivation is crucial to success, and children are most motivated when they understand the "why" behind their work, as well as how they're doing at each stage. It gives them a feeling of control over their own learning... and that's what Kumon is all about.
Kumon + Commitment = Success.
There's no getting around it: Kumon is extra. Extra time. Extra homework. Extra effort. While the benefits are more than worth the efforts, the fact is that day in and day out, Kumon requires a special commitment for your child and from you.
For you, that means helping your child set aside a small amount of time ("Kumon Time") each day to do his/her Kumon Worksheets and bringing him/her to your Kumon Centre two days a week to have him/her progress evaluated and to receive new assignments.
WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER.
You and your child's Kumon Instructor are equal partners in helping your child succeed with Kumon. We urge you to communicate early and often with you Instructor, and never to hesitate to ask questions or seek advice.
Your interest in Kumon proves that you are a parent who cares deeply about your child's education, and that will make all the difference. So, our best advice is to keep caring. Pay attention, stay involved, and stay connected with your Kumon Instructor.
Your child's success is out priority. THE KUMON DYNAMIC
Both the Instructor and the Parent play roles vital to the child's success by providing guidance and encouragement and monitoring progress, receiving constant feedback, so your child can become a better learner.
KUMON EXPLAINED: A COMPLETE LEARNING SYSTEM "Teach a Child fractions and he succeeds at fractions. Make a child a better learner and he succeeds at life."
PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR THE CHALLENGES AHEAD.
Forget any notions you may still have about supplemental learning being nothing more than a tutor and textbook. Kumon gives you a complete learning program with comprehensive curricula in Math and Reading, going from preschool all the way up to post-secondary level. Each curriculum consists of about 20 levels, and each level includes some 200 sequential assignments- or Worksheets- administered according to the needs and abilities of each child.
Kumon is systematically and painstakingly designed to help children become better learners. While it may not move in lockstep with your child's school curriculum, Kumon nurtures core skills that will help your child cope with material covered throughout school-even in subjects other than math and reading.
Unlike other programs, Kumon looks beyond any specific learning issue your child may be facing at this time to "the big picture" of your child's schooling. The program as a whole is geared to prepare children for the challenges of secondary school, which may be considerable, even for students who have had no precious difficulties.
Kumon is also an achievement-oriented program that encourages advanced study whenever possible, and some students enroll or stay with Kumon because they're not challenged enough at school.
Kumon explained: the Math Program SUCCEEDING FROM COUNTING TO CALCULUS.
Kumon Math is a comprehensive program that develops a solid grounding in mathematics and the core skills required for your child to advance successfully and confidently through any school math curriculum. From strong mental calculation skills to a command of basic: algebra and beyond. Kumon enables students to gain proficiency at every level.
MASTERING THE FUNDAMENTALS, ONE AT A TIME.
The Kumon Math curriculum progressively introduces and reinforces those fundamental concepts ultimately needed by children to excel in high school math. From the outset, exercises are designed to develop calculation skills, mathematical reasoning, and mental dexterity in the context of the material covered at every level. Material advances in small, almost imperceptible increments, and is then reinforced through multiple application. Thus, students are able to fully grasp and completely retain each concept in term. They're never merely exposed to topics that may turn up later on, as they might be at school. Every topic introduced is covered in depth at that time to be thoroughly mastered by the student. This "linear" approach promotes a formidable facility with basic skills. REALLY DOING THE MATH.
A thorough understanding of concepts is not attained without rigor. Worksheets clearly illustrate how each concept is related to the precious one, so children are able to make sense of it on their own. Formulas are introduced by demonstrating the logic leading up to them and the principles behind them. Shortcuts for solving problems are provided only after the child first learns how to work through all the steps and fully understands the mathematics at work.
HOW DO THE MATH WORKSHEETS WORK?
Within each level of the Kumon Math curriculum, there are 200 worksheets covering a number of "topics" like addition. Each topic includes several "sets of ten Worksheets with an even narrower focus like "addition up to a sum of 18." Students typically complete one set each day in the initial stages of the program. Each Worksheet may take one or two minutes to complete, and the entire set ten to twenty minutes, depending on the child's proficiency with the material.
KUMON IS FINE-TUNED TO YOUR CHILD'S NEEDS.
In educators' terms, Kumon utilizes both a diagnostic and prescriptive methodology. It's diagnostic because the design of the Worksheets enables the Instructor to pinpoint exactly where your child may be encountering difficulties. It's prescriptive because the program can be calibrated accordingly- every step of the way- so that your child is always advancing at the right pace and progressing to the best of his or her ability.