The Kumon Method

The Kumon Method of Learning is designed to help any child of any ability progress to their maximum potential and become enthusiastic learners. Through worksheet study and Instructor guidance, students work at the 'just-right' level to build ability and fluency in small manageable steps. Students move up through worksheet levels only when comfortable with current work, ensuring they establish solid learning foundations and confidence in their ability.

Our study programmes are designed to help learners think for themselves and develop strong problem-solving skills, using worksheet examples to try to work out answers independently. Our Instructors observe students learning, using their patience and judgement to offer guidance only when necessary to develop each child’s ability to self-learn. Our worksheet-based study programmes have evolved over the course of 60 years, learning from our students about how best to help them succeed, build confidence and develop self-learning skills for a bright future.

Individualised instruction
Kumon is an individualised learning method that allows each student to study at the 'just-right' level, regardless of age or school grade. This gives all children the possibility to benefit from Kumon, whether they need to build on more basic concepts, be challenged by more complex work or somewhere in between. Through continued study at the 'just-right' level, students progress at their own pace, going on to study work beyond their school grade level.

Instructors determine what level students should be studying at based on ability and fluency. Students start at a comfortable level, allowing them to build confidence, concentration and pace before progressing on to higher level work. Completing work at the 'just-right' level enables students to become enthusiastic learners, believing in their own capability and developing a positive attitude to study.

Self-learning
Kumon’s study programme places great importance on self-learning, encouraging students to discover how to solve problems for themselves. It is Kumon’s belief that in equipping students to learn proactively and developing high academic ability, they will have the best chance of pursuing their short and long-term goals and aspirations.

When introducing new concepts, worksheets show example answers to help students work out the correct process independently and apply this to other similar questions to increase familiarity. Instructors do not immediately give their students answers to their questions. Instead they carefully guide students to be aware of focal points of questions and think about the information that is given in the worksheet, supporting them to solve problems by themselves. Succeeding independently in their learning gives students a great sense of accomplishment and enthusiasm for learning and the motivation to continue.

Small-step worksheets
Kumon worksheets are designed to take students from simple problems to complex problems in very small steps, increasing difficulty a little at a time. This enables each student to develop their skills gradually, studying at an appropriate level and advancing smoothly through the programme. Increasing difficulty in small steps means it is more likely that students will be able to complete worksheets independently, enhancing their self-learning skills.

Some students may grasp particular topics and concepts very quickly and can move up to the next level once their learning is secure. Students needing more time on a particular topic can study this at length until they succeed, ensuring that the pace of learning is right for them and that they develop solid learning foundations and have a positive learning experience. Worksheets are continually revised, learning from our students and Instructors to make our programmes increasingly effective.

Kumon Instructors
Kumon Instructors are focussed on developing the potential of each individual child. They pay careful attention to each student’s academic ability, personality and how he or she studies and solves worksheet questions. They observe their working processes without interrupting, to see how students are coping with their work and if they are engaged and confident in their activities. Based on their observations, Instructors provide effective support to ensure study at a level that is just right.

When students encounter problems that they are unable to solve, Instructors ask questions to find out how much they have understood and give hints and examples to help guide them to solve the problem by themselves. Kumon Instructors collaborate closely with parents to support each child to succeed in their studies. They acknowledge the growth of each student, without comparison to others, offering them praise and encouragement.

Find out more about Kumon's Method of Learning

[External Link to English Version of Japanese site]

At what age can students start Kumon study?

Students can start learning with Kumon from age two upwards. We currently have students as young as two years old studying with us, ranging all the way up to those about to go to university; Kumon helps children of any age and any ability. The sooner children begin, the earlier they can start developing skills to gain the greatest cumulative benefit; as soon as you feel your family is ready to make the commitment to long-term study, Kumon will be ready to help you achieve your goal.

How do the Kumon programmes relate to a child's age?

They don't. A Kumon student progresses based on their current ability and not their age, although we believe that every child has unlimited potential and can ultimately tackle advanced work through well-paced and individualised instruction. We have children of similar ages studying different material and children of different ages studying the same material. Everything is dependent on the student's needs, not on how old they are.

How does Kumon differ from tuition or classroom learning?

Kumon offers much more than tutoring and differs from traditional teaching in the classroom. Rather than preparing children for a particular test or assessment, Kumon empowers students to learn for themselves, through individualised instruction and carefully developed worksheets.

As well as developing key skills in maths and English, each Kumon student will work towards building their independent learning skills and confidence in their own abilities. This means that a Kumon student will not be dependent on – or limited by – the skills and knowledge of others.

How is a Kumon student taught?

Kumon is a self-learning programme but each student receives regular support from their Instructor. The carefully developed worksheets teach students how to find the answer for themselves, whilst their Instructor offers guidance when necessary. The key role of each Kumon Instructor is to observe their students working, making sure that work is set at the right level and that they are developing at the right pace.

How will Kumon help my child with their schoolwork?

As a global programme, Kumon does not follow a school curriculum, but rather is complementary to curricula across the world. The primary aim of the Kumon Method is to develop independent learning skills. These independent learning skills enhance the students’ performance right across the school curriculum. Kumon operates at exactly the right level for each student – regardless of their age – ensuring that work set extends and develops their skills, confidence and ability.

How much does it cost?

The registration and monthly fee varies slightly from centre to centre. A one off registration fee is, on average, around £30. Monthly, single subject programme fees are, on average, around £60 a month. Click here to find the fees for your local study centre.

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