50 years of pursuing potential
contributed by Allan Menagh (vision communication team leader, Kumon Asia Oceania)
Half a century ago, a fatherOs love for his son led to the now famous and global OKumon Method of learningO. It all started from a common experience. One day, a grade-2 boy returned home from school with a crumpled maths test paper in his pocket. His mother found it and noticed the poor test result. The boyOs father, Toru Kumon, was a maths teacher and he took action, which led to a child-centred approach to learning, considered revolutionary even 50 years later.
Every night Kumon carefully prepared maths problems on a sheet of paper for his son to solve for 30 minutes the following afternoon. He carefully matched these worksheets to his sonOs growing ability to help the boy think for himself and grasp the concepts with little or no assistance.
Kumon saw his son effectively self-learn concept after concept, which improved his grades and quickly allowed him to learn well in advance of his school curriculum. This proved to Kumon that if education could truly match and nurture each childOs ability, children would be able to learn beyond expectations and the school curriculum, leading to a more enjoyable school experience and opening up their lives and strengthening their character.
Encouraged by the requests of many local parents, Kumon opened a mathematics study centre in his home for children in his neighbourhood. He saw that these children also responded enthusiastically to his worksheets and learning method. This experience led to his firm decision to help as many children as possible pursue their potential in the same way.
Today, students are able to study mathematics and language worksheets through the Kumon Method in 45 countries around the globe. Every hour of the day, children are somewhere studying their Kumon worksheets, which are matched to their individual ability, enabling them to pursue their own potential through self-learning.
Kumon is dedicated to the learning and blossoming of its students. Its aim is that each child develops personal goals and big dreams for the future. The associates of Kumon continuously study, think and grow as educators, always mindful of their responsibility to their students.
