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History
More messages from Toru Kumon
Parents frequently ask me,"What is the most important thing to remember in teaching my children?" I always reply with a question: "How much confidence do you have in your children's potential?" It is important that we do not set artificial limits on what our children are capable of doing. My point is that children must be given every opportunity to succeed. It is a terrible shame to give up on any child's abilities before he or she has had a real chance to grow. This is why I say that it is crucial for both parents and children to have a positive, "Let's try!" attitude. If you foster this attitude in your own children, you will be amazed at what they can do.
I firmly believe that this is our most important duty as parents. Then why do we, here at Kumon promote mathematics and reading? Most people think that the Kumon Method only helps children do mathematics calculations faster than they could before. But the main objective of the Kumon Method is something more general: to give students the ability to study ahead of their grade level in school. When students study ahead of their grade level, they will gradually acquire the skills and confidence to study any subject on their own. In my experience, such children tend to develop certain common traits such as a natural curiosity, self-confidence, perseverance, and strong concentration. These traits help children develop not only their academic skills, but their athletic and artistic abilities as well. The skills and habits that the Kumon Method helps to build can improve a child's life in many ways. I look forward to the day when these children--self-confident and motivated achievers--will reward our faith in them by making their own contributions to society.
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