Q: What’s the aim of Kumon Maths?
A: The maths programme has as its overall aim to make the study of secondary school maths easier. It does this by focusing on the key elements your child will need to do well at school: developing total fluency in arithmetic, a mastery of basic algebra, and vital study skills such as concentration, independent study and perseverance. Our founder, Toru Kumon, was a teacher of high school maths, and his experience showed beyond doubt that it was these particular elements that separated the successful students from those that failed.
Q: What’s the aim of Kumon English?
A: Kumon English has two aims:
to develop the ability to read and understand a wide variety of texts
to develop a life-long habit of reading for both education and enjoyment
Kumon have designed the English programme with the same spirit as we approached the maths programme, establishing the crucial elements that will ensure success for students through secondary school and beyond. It is the ability to quickly and accurately read, understand, digest and use information that forms the key to a child’s success in so many subjects, and so it is precisely that ability that we focus on in our English programme. Add to this a focus on developing a reading habit and all the vital study skills described above, and you have a programme that can make a real difference to a child’s future.
Q: Why is the work so easy to start with?
A: It is an integral part of the Kumon philosophy to ensure that a student begins their Kumon studies with very easy work, but this can understandably be puzzling for parents unfamiliar with our approach. "Why should I pay money for work that my child can do without any problems?!" Allow us to explain.
An easy starting point ensures:
that there are no gaps in your child’s understanding of the subject. Having a previously undetected ‘hole in the foundations’ is unfortunately very common and leads to all manner of problems later on. We make sure that we build on completely solid foundations.
that your child builds confidence from day one. Self-confidence is vital to success in any area of life, as we all know, and we ensure that your child experiences success right from the start. Starting with challenging work can serve only to reinforce a child’s lack of confidence and can make matters worse rather than better.
that your child establishes a daily study habit. With difficult work, this habit is hard to ingrain, but a short, easy piece of work is manageable and will enable your child to get into a regular routine of studying Kumon. This habit, along with proven understanding and growing self-confidence, will provide the momentum your child will need to take on much more challenging work in the coming months.
Q: Why do Kumon place such importance on timing work?
A: Mastery of work implies fluency, and that means not only being able to complete work accurately but also quickly. Knowing the answer to '8x7' is one thing; being able to recall the answer immediately is quite another. Fluency, not just accuracy, is required if your child wishes to tackle more challenging work successfully.
Q: Why do students have to work every day?
A: Working every day is indeed a commitment that requires dedication and perseverance, even if the daily amount of work is quite small. We take this approach because working little and often is simply more effective for the student than having longer study sessions – students can learn more, remember things better and make more progress.
Q: How do the Kumon programmes relate to children's age?
A: Kumon’s primary concern is a child’s ability, not their age. Because of our individualised approach to education, we have children of similar age studying different material, and children of different ages studying the same material. Everything is dependent on what each individual can do, not on how old they are.
Q: Why are children left to work by themselves?
A: Our philosophy always focuses on the long-term: what skills and attributes will a child need to be successful later in life (not just in the end-of-term exams)? Success in secondary school requires good study skills and the ability to work independently. Parents and tutors can help, of course, but it is the way your child works when they are by themselves that will really determine the results they obtain. Kumon’s materials and methodology nurture independent learning skills that will serve them throughout school and beyond. As the saying goes: "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach him how to fish and he eats for life."
Q: How does Kumon differ from tutoring?
A: There are many kinds of tutoring, but overall Kumon differs in the following ways:
Kumon has a long-term focus. Typically, tutoring has a short-term focus (preparing children for specific entrance exams; ‘crash courses’ for failing children etc.). Both approaches have their place in education, but we believe that parents who maintain a long-term focus overall will do the best for their children.
being largely short-term, tutoring tends not to be suitable for building key study skills such as self-confidence, concentration and perseverance.
studying with Kumon is a family affair – we regard parental input as vital. With tutoring, parental involvement is limited largely to payment. This makes Kumon more challenging in terms of the commitment of time and energy, but the rewards can be amazing.
Q: Is Kumon for struggling children or gifted children?
A: Both! (and every child in between). We can make this claim because of our individualised approach to education which always asks the question "What is best for each individual child?" Kumon welcomes students with special educational needs, gifted and talented children and everyone else who believes they can achieve more and fulfil their potential.
Q: How soon can I expect to see results?
A: We treat every child as an individual, and so progress rates can vary considerably. Nonetheless, bear the following points in mind:
in the maths programme, students typically progress between three and four levels in their first year and between one and two levels in subsequent years.
in the English programme, students typically progress between four and six levels in their first year and between two and three levels in subsequent years.
because Kumon programmes are long-term and begin with working on foundations, we would encourage you to commit to between six and twelve months before judging the effectiveness of the programmes.
On average, Kumon students stay with us for around two years. Those students looking to get the full rewards of programme graduation stay for many years.
Q: How much help am I expected to give my child at home? A: Your child should be able to complete their homework independently. (In certain situations, your Instructor may advise you differently e.g. for the very early levels, or holiday work, but these are the exceptions, not the rule). Your child may well ask you for help, but you should ensure that, as far as possible, they complete the work by themselves. If your child faces genuine difficulties with their work, ask them to stop and contact your Instructor for advice.
There are still many ways you can help your child at home. Please see the points listed below under the question "What are the main things I should do to make Kumon work for my child?".
Q: What are the main things I should do to make Kumon work for my child? A: Behind every successful child is a supportive parent, and nowhere is this truer than with Kumon study. The main things you can do are:
provide your child with a regular time and place to study
ensure that the study area is free of distractions
encourage your child to tackle problem areas by themselves (rather than taking the easy option of asking mum or dad!)
Q: How will Kumon help my child in school exams?
A: Kumon’s focus is on mastering the core skills children need to be successful in secondary education and beyond (see the aims of Kumon maths and English above). This means that, whilst the programmes are international and as such not specific to any one country’s curriculum, they work alongside the school curriculum to build core skills.
Maths
Whatever the topic, whatever the exam, your child will need strong basic calculation skills and (in secondary school) a solid grounding in algebra. Kumon students can develop a superb number sense and an unrivalled mental calculation ability; they know their times tables inside-out; they can manipulate fractions and algebra with ease. These are the skills that will ultimately make the difference between success and failure in any school exam.
English
Right across the curriculum, core skills in English are vital for exam success. First and foremost, your child will need to be able (and willing!) to read, understand, digest and use the mass of information with which they will be presented in preparation for school exams. When writing, success will depend on the breadth and depth of their vocabulary, how widely-read they are, and their ability to construct grammatically correct sentences. The Kumon programme focuses on exactly these skills, and in so doing provides your child with the skills they will need to tackle any school English examination.
In terms of specific subject skills, mastery of either programme up to level I will equip students with vital knowledge needed to succeed at GCSE or equivalent examinations.
What’s more, the study skills your child will acquire through Kumon will make all the difference as they tackle their school course work and prepare for the pressure of timed school exams.
Q: Are Kumon centres open all year round?
A: Yes. Please bear in mind, though, that every centre will close now and again, normally around public holidays and when your Instructor takes personal holiday time. On average, a centre will close about ten times a year, but please ask your Instructor for local details. In any event, your child will be provided with work for every day of each month for which you pay fees.
Q: What are the fees?
A: There are two fees for Kumon study:
England & Scotland
Registration fee £25 per child. Payable before starting Kumon.
Monthly subject fee £50 per child, per subject, per month. Payable in
advance. Monthly Dual subject fees (maths & English) = £90 provided both subjects are studied at the same centre.
Ireland Registration fee €40 per child. Payable before starting Kumon.
Monthly subject fee €80 per child, per subject, per month. Payable in advance.
Monthly Dual subject fees (maths & English) = €150 provided both subjects are studied at the same centre.
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