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The Kumon Method was created in Osaka, Japan, in 1954 by a father whose only desire was to help his son. Takeshi Kumon was struggling with 2nd grade math. His father, Toru Kumon, our founder, a high school math teacher himself, was able to look ahead and think about the necessary skills and prerequisites that his son would need in order to be successful with high school studies.
To start, he began to devise worksheets for his son to complete on a daily basis after school. These worksheets became the foundation upon which all the worksheets to this date were created. Kumon professional staff members continue to monitor progress of students around the world to assess the effectiveness of each worksheet set and each learning focus.
As you may imagine, Takeshi's rapid improvement caused neighbors and friends ask Toru Kumon to help their children improve math skills. Four years after the first worksheet was casually drafted for Takeshi, the Kumon Institute of Education was founded in Osaka. Kumon student enrollment began to grow as word spread that his program was helping all kinds of students find success in math.
In 1974 Kumon reached North America with its first Kumon center in New York.
In 1991 the Reading program was introduced. The curriculum of the Reading program is based on the same step-by-step principles as the math program. Top notch educators in the United States, Canada, Australia and Great Britain collaborated on developing the Reading program. The program's goals include developing students superior comprehension skills, strong vocabulary, spelling and ability to create independent writings.
Currently, there are over 4 million students enrolled in over 46 countries worldwide. In North America, there are over 130,000 students working at 1,500 centers.
"Every child possesses the ability to learn beyond expectations. Learning occurs most efficiently when:
1. The level of material corresponds exactly to the learner's level of ability; and
2. The rate of progress is controlled by the student, not the teacher.
If students are studying at this "just right" level, we will discover the potential with which each individual is endowed. By expanding that gift to its utmost limit, we will develop sound, responsible adults."
Toru Kumon, Founder
Comment 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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