Kumon Statement

"All Children have the potential and the ability to learn beyond expectations."

                                                           Toru Kumon, Founder

The Goal of Kumon

The goal of Kumon is to make high school study easier for students. The skills required in high school include:

• Good Study Habits;
• Independent Study Skills;
• A Strong Foundation in Math and Reading;
• The Ability to Apply Basic Skills to New Concepts, and to Problem Solve.

About Kumon

Kumon is the largest private educational network in the world. Over 3 million students are currently enrolled worldwide in 45 different countries.

The Kumon method is a programmed learning curriculum designed to assist students in achieving a mastery of mathematics with an emphasis on accuracy and speed in calculation. The primary goal is to ensure the student's success at the high school level.

There are three distinguishing features of Kumon:

Individualized Learning: A diagnostic test is given to align a student's work precisely with their ability. Students are started at a "Low Comfortable Starting Point" for a few reasons. First, students are allowed to see immediate success thus increasing self-confidence and independence. Second, a reinforcement of fundamental skills is always necessary for the building of a strong foundation in the basics in order to avoid frustration at advanced levels.

Mastery: Since scholastic ability builds on previously learned skills, the Kumon student is required to master each sequential level of skill before proceeding to the next level. As students work through a given level, they correct all errors and are even assigned appropriate repetition to fully master a skill level. At the end of each level, students are given an Achievement Test to show what they have mastered.

Standard Completion Time: The Kumon student must demonstrate the ability to complete worksheets within a predetermined time limit. Repetition may be required when the time limit is exceeded. Another reason Kumon stresses speed is to better prepare your child for their school, state and college entrance exams.

With its completely individualized pace, Kumon works quite well with both those who need remedial help as well as the gifted achiever whose family is interested in academic enrichment. Classes are held year-round so that summer vacation becomes a time of reinforcement and advancement. Kumon students return to school in the fall ready to learn.

Kumon Math

The math program benefits students of all ages, preschool on up. Each individual is first placed at a comfortable starting point that allows him to develop new confidence and the ability to focus. The pace of advancement is tailor-made for each person. The student simply continues in one concept area until true mastery is demonstrated. Kumon worksheets are arranged in a very sequential manner so that the student is able to go easily from one idea to the next. The curriculum starts with counting two objects and goes through and past integral and differential calculus, differential equations and probability and statistics.

Kumon Reading

The reading program is designed specifically to emphasize the development of comprehension skills. Beginning with simple vocabulary and phonics, it continues with basic grammar and sentence structure. Finally, the student proceeds with exercises in paragraph structure, passage analysis and critical reading.

The reading program develops necessary skills for strong creative writing, essays and term papers. We show students how to apply grammatical and foundational skills they learn in many diverse ways.

Kumon Commitment

Kumon does require commitment on the part of both parent and child. It is not a short-term fix. The system relies on old-fashioned practice. Most parents allocate 10 to 20 minutes daily for each subject. Because each student's progress in the program is individualized, students may start at any time. The usual procedure is to attend class once or twice weekly.

Kumon History

The Kumon Method of learning was developed over 40 years ago in Japan by Toru Kumon, a high school math teacher whose son was struggling with second grade arithmetic. As an educator, Mr. Kumon realized that a strong foundation in the basics was needed for success in higher level math. With that in mind, Toru Kumon created a series of worksheets for his son to do after school. Through daily practice and a commitment to mastering each concept, his son was able to solve differential equations and integral calculus problems by the time he was in the sixth grade.

For Additional Kumon Information please contact either the Alamo Heights Kumon Center or the main Kumon offices at 1-800-ABC-MATH or www.kumon.com.