Articles for parents

How does Kumon differ from one-to-one tutoring?

Sep 2023

The Kumon Maths and English Programmes aim to enable students to become independent by fostering in them the mindset and skills for self-learning. The materials are created to allow students to progress naturally and develop academic ability according to the individual capabilities of each child.

Kumon Instructors do not 'teach' students in the conventional sense - they aim to guide students through the programmes, fostering in them a positive attitude towards study and good study habits. Instructors will pursuing the right level of study for each student; assigning a suitable number of worksheets and an amount of repetition to ensure students are motivated and also that they also fully grasp each topic before moving on.

To enable students to develop the mindset and skills to be self-motivated learners, Instructors encourage them to find solutions on their own by carefully following the instructions on the worksheets. They are also guided to correct their own mistakes.

When each student begins the maths and English programmes, they are given their individual study projection. This is shared with the parent as well as the student, giving them a realistic goal to work towards and ownership over their own development. The programmes are not alligned to the child's age or the school curriculum, meanign that children can progress at a pace that's right for them, often meaning they can exceed their equivalent school grade level! 

Attending a Kumon study centre each week allows for observation time with the Instructor, so while they may not sit down with the child and teach them how to do the work, they'll guide the student to find the right answers on their own. Reasoning and working out the answers for themselves in this way, makes for a powerful learning experience.  

With KUMON CONNECT, our digital worksheets are available on your own tablet and stylus, and children are able to receive individual messages and hints from their Instructor too. This means they can work on fixing any errors and make their corrections ahead of their next study session, further solidifying their learning.  

In this way, the Kumon Method of Learning develops academic ability, but also empowers students to take ownership of their own learning, increases their concentration and stamina, and builds their confidence that they are able to learn for themselves.