Kumon was started 50 years ago in Japan by Toru Kumon, a teacher and parent who wanted to help his son do better in school. The unique instructional method he created was so successful that his son was able to do calculus by the time he was in the sixth grade.
Today there are over 1,400 Kumon Centers in North America. With Centers in 43 countries, over three million children are enrolled in Kumon Worldwide.
Our founder's belief that every child possesses untapped abilities and the potential to excel remains central to our philosophy. In short, there's nothing a child can't do.
Kumon math and reading programs help master the fundamental skills so important to a child's overall academic performance. Just as a child needs to practice daily over time to become adept at a sport or musical instrument, so too does he or she need daily work in order for academic skills to develop and flourish.
Kumon students attend a Kumon Center once or twice a week for approximately one-half hour per subject. They then work at home for about fifteen to twenty minutes each of the remaining days of the week (with one day off).
Kumon parents generally find that their children end up with more time to pursue other interests because they've developed far more efficient study habits, along with the skills to do both Kumon assignments and schoolwork quickly and accurately without wasting time. Within a short period of time the Kumon work plus the student’s school homework will take less time than the homework alone has taken in the past.
The goal is for Kumon students to assume most, if not all, of the responsibility for their own study. Some parental involvement, particularly in the beginning, helps to establish the routine and get the whole process off to a good start.
Kumon is most successful when the student, parent and Kumon Instructor work together to ensure that the child advances continually to the best of his or her ability.
Kumon Instructors regard themselves more as mentors or coaches than teachers in the traditional sense. Their principal role is to provide the direction, support, and encouragement that will guide the student towards performing at 100% of his or her potential.
