KUMON Maths & English

Introduction

Kumon is a supplementary education programme, suitable for children of all ages and abilities. Many children start Kumon because they find their school work hard and Kumon provides them with the opportunity to practise and master the aspects they have found difficult at school and hence gain a new confidence in their ability in English and Maths. Kumon is also a way for able children to be stretched and challenged beyond their school level of ability. World-wide, more than four million students are currently enrolled on Kumon programmes in over forty countries. The study centres in Mallow and Cork have been established for a number of years and now cater for approximately a hundred students.

The Kumon Philosophy

“Every child has the potential to learn far beyond his or her parents’ expectations. It is our job as educators, not to stuff knowledge into children as if they were merely empty boxes, but to encourage each individual child to want to learn, to enjoy learning and to be capable of studying whatever they need to, or wish to, in the future.”

Toru Kumon, Founder

What is Kumon?

Kumon is an educational method designed to help children fulfil their potential by developing self-confidence. At Kumon study centres, children follow an individual study programme, that is ‘just right’ for their ability and allows them to progress at their own pace. Kumon is a work book based programme. Students complete a work book every day (7 days a week, 52 weeks a year), and visit a study centre ideally once or twice a week. The work sheets are designed to lead students independently towards solutions, so the programme also lends itself to study by correspondence. This is ideal for students who find it difficult to visit one of the centres regularly.

The Maths programme covers counting to arithmetic to calculus. The English programme focuses on developing the reading and writing abilities of students. Work typically takes a maximum of thirty minutes each day per subject. Work done at home is marked by parents (answer books are available) and students correct any errors before completing the next day’s work. This prevents difficulties being perpetuated and allows students to learn from any mistakes.

There are a number of key principles that make Kumon a success.

Working together to increase self-confidence - As students make progress, praise by the instructor and their parents results in improved self-esteem and confidence. As they begin to achieve better results at school, their confidence increases further.

Individualised programme – Kumon is an individualised programme suitable for children of all ages and abilities. Kumon recognises the fact that children absorb knowledge at different rates and allows each student to progress at his or her own pace.

Easy starting points – Students enrolling in Kumon begin by taking a diagnostic test. The results of this determine the most suitable place for a student to start studying. This is always at a point where they have mastery of the topic. This easy starting point will ensure that students can begin with 100% attainment, achieve immediate success and begin to build self-confidence from the outset.

Good Study Habits – Students are encouraged to do a little work each day. They are also rewarded for their efforts and are clearly able to see their progress.  These study habits will spill over into all school subjects and will stand students in good stead throughout their life-long learning.

Mastery through practice – students are encouraged to consolidate weaker areas with further practice of the worksheets. By reinforcing their knowledge before they move on, confidence is maintained and students can be assured that there are no gaps in their learning.

Self-learning – Each of the levels of the Kumon programme is graded so that students progress smoothly. By following the given examples for new concepts, students discover the joy of working things out for themselves. This is an important life-skill for students to learn.   

For further details visit: www.kumon.co.uk