One of Kumon’s fundamental goals is to build student’s foundations for future learning. Kumon Australia and New Zealand has dedicated this issue of Potential magazine to sharing stories explaining how this is achieved through the Kumon programmes.
We hope you enjoy the digital copy below!
Thousands of parents across Australia and New Zealand have chosen Kumon to support their children’s maths and English learning. What makes a 60-year-old pencil and paper programme appealing for modern families in the 21st century?
To answer this question, we interviewed Robert, a Sydney-based dad who holds degrees in engineering and physics. He has extensive career experience in many fields involving mathematics.
Robert enrolled his son into Kumon when he was in Year 3. What influenced him to choose Kumon Maths over the many other offerings available?
Well, it’s because Kumon is a pencil-and-paper programme. When investigating the options available for his son’s maths learning, Robert found many other programmes are computer based. He certainly did not want more screen time for his son. Robert believes children should practice maths problems by writing them out, erasing their errors, and writing the problem out again, until they get them right, without relying on calculators or computers.
“Kids are overdosing on computers,” Robert summarised.
Robert’s son has completed Kumon Maths. He can solve calculus problems that undergraduate university students face.
Robert’s assertions that computer-based learning isn’t any better than learning with pencil and paper, are supported by the OECD report, Students, Computers and Learning. The report found when computers are used in the classroom, their impact on student performance is mixed at best. Furthermore, students who use computers very frequently at school perform poorly in most learning outcomes. The results also show no significant improvements in reading, mathematics or science in countries that invested heavily in digital technology for education.
The report proposes that technology can distract from valuable human engagement between educator and student. This is something Robert valued highly in Kumon. Robert felt his son’s Kumon Instructor was across every single one of her students’ progress. The Kumon Instructor knew exactly how to structure the programme for his son, according to his individual needs. If his son ever got stuck, he would seek face-to-face support from the Kumon Instructor.
This real-life human interaction between educator and student is valued highly by parents in an increasingly online education environment.
Each November, Kumon Australia and New Zealand celebrates the effort, achievement and potential of our most advanced students at the Advanced Student Forum events.
These events celebrate the achievements of students who have completed the Kumon Maths or English programme, and those who study a Kumon programme five years ahead of their school grade level.
This year, we have lined up speakers who we hope will inspire our most advanced students to consider how they will make a positive impact, as they continue to learn and progress.
We celebrate these students’ achievements on the following dates:
We congratulate all of our students invited to these events, and acknowledge the unwavering support and care from out students’ families. We look forward to celebrating their outstanding progress, and hope they leave the ceremony inspired and confident for their future.
“The only safe prediction is that the future will be different to the present”, wrote Australian economist Ross Gittins in The Sydney Morning Herald, March 2017. He’s right. We don’t know for certain what our future will look like.
How do we prepare children for the future? Where does Kumon fit?
Kumon, at its core, prepares learners for ‘the unknown.’
In Kumon, ‘the unknown’ are topics students encounter for the first time in our worksheets when they progress beyond their school grade level. Outside of Kumon, ‘the unknown’ could be new industries, new technologies, new organisational structures, anything.
Our Instructors help students to learn in a very unique way. Kumon Instructors don’t explain to students how to solve problems, rather Instructors guide students to find the answer on their own. They first let students attempt the worksheets by themselves, and focus on developing in students the mindset, and skills, for self-learning. This prepares students for the future.
Working independently and with new concepts is an important part of Kumon. Through this, students develop critical thinking skills. Critical thinking requires the systematic deconstruction of problems. This is followed by the production of a logical solution. Kumon worksheets allow this through examples, introductory problems and other design features that facilitate this process.
Through the process of correcting their worksheets, Kumon students are trained to think critically even when they make an error. Before making their corrections, students review their work on their own, locate errors and only erase parts of the answer where they see an error. This process trains the student to verify their own understanding and compare it with the example provided in the worksheet.
Kumon also prepares students for the future by developing their resilience and determination. Through the process of persevering in study, children develop a sense of their own capabilities and feel positive when they get the answer right. This develops our students’ enthusiasm for challenging themselves.
As summarised by Toru Kumon, the late founder of Kumon, “We hope [our students] will then continue learning by themselves even after going out into the real world, and grow up into people who are proactive in everything they do”.
Have you stopped to consider your family’s holiday plans for 2020? Perhaps you’re hoping to spend time on the beach? The ski slopes? Or, take some time exploring the Gold Coast theme parks? If so, would a $5,000 Flight Centre travel voucher make your holiday more achievable?
Over summer, Kumon will be offering a Summer Giveaway to all currently enrolled families. One lucky family from New Zealand and another from Australia will win a $5,000 Flight Centre travel voucher. To participate, all families need to do is stay enrolled in Kumon for the months of December 2019 – February 2020.
As a secondary prize we will also offer a $100 movie voucher per region (WA, SA/NT, VIC/TAS, NSW/ACT, QLD, NZ). How great does that sound?!
At Kumon we know the value of continuous study over the summer holiday. For Kumon students, this can be a time to consolidate learning when the daily routine is less busy. We look forward to supporting your family with flexible study options that would best suit you and your children’s schedule and learning goals for 2020.
The Summer Giveaway draw will take place on 10 March 2020 and we look forward to announcing our winner on our website and on social media.
Terms and conditions apply.
KUMON SUMMER GIVEAWAY PROMOTION
Schedule
| 1. Promotion | Kumon Summer Giveaway | ||||||||||||
| 2. Promoter | Kumon (Australia) Pty Ltd (ABN 74 002 776 383) of Level 14, 799 Pacific Highway, Chatswood, NSW, 2067, Australia (“Kumon”) | ||||||||||||
| 3. Promotional Period | Start date: 01/11/2019 at 12:00 am (AEST)
End date: 26/03/2020 at 23:59 pm (AEST) |
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| 4. Eligible Entrants | Entry is open only to students who are enrolled with a Kumon centre during the months of December 2019, January 2020 and February 2020 consecutively (“Eligibility Requirement”). Children of Kumon staff and instructors are not eligible for this competition. | ||||||||||||
| 5. How to Enter | Eligible Entrants are automatically entered into the Promotion during the Promotional Period.
Any person who does not wish to enter the Promotion may opt out of the Promotion by notifying their instructor, whereupon the Promoter shall withdraw the student’s entry (which shall become ineligible). Eligible Entrants are not permitted to enter into the Promotion multiple times. |
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| 6. Prize Details | Major Prize
The Travel Voucher will be purchased in October 2019 and will be subject to validity and terms and conditions as are determined by Flight Centre Travel Group Limited. Minor Prize
Total prize value is NZD $5,100 |
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| 7. How to Win | One (1) winner will be randomly drawn for the Major Prize from the total pool of valid entries.
One (1) winner will be randomly drawn for the Minor Prize as specified in part 6 above, from the pool of valid entries. The winner of the one (1) Major Prize will not be an eligible entrant in the draw for the Minor Prize. |
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| 8. Draw Details | The draw will be conducted at 3pm (AEST) on Tuesday, 10 March 2020 at the Promoter’s address by using a computerised random selection system established by the Promoter. | ||||||||||||
| 9. Winner Notification | The winner will be notified by a phone call on Wednesday, 11 March 2020 as well as by email. The winner’s names will also be published on the Promoter’s website (“Website”) (https://nz.kumonglobal.com/) and Facebook page (“Facebook”) (https://www.facebook.com/kumonanz/) on Wednesday, 11 March 2020. | ||||||||||||
| 10. Prize Claim Date and Time | Prizes must be claimed by 3pm (AEST) on Tuesday, 24 March 2020. | ||||||||||||
| 11. Unclaimed Prize | A redraw will occur for any unclaimed prizes at 3pm (AEST) on Wednesday, 25 March 2020.
The winner of the unclaimed prize draw will be notified by a phone call on Thursday, 26 March 2020 as well as by email. The winner’s names will also be published on the Website and Facebook page on Thursday, 26 March 2020. |
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| 12. Prize Conditions | The Prize must be collected by the winner in person in accordance with any instruction given by the Promoter.
The Prize cannot be transferred or redeemed for cash. Use of the Major Prize voucher may be subject to availability as well as additional terms and conditions as are determined by Flight Centre Travel Group Limited. Use of the Minor Prize voucher may be subject to availability as well as additional terms and conditions as are determined by The HOYTS Corporation Pty Ltd. |
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| 13. Permit Number | Authorised under: NA
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Terms and Conditions
Entering the Promotion
Winner and Prizes
Limitation of liability
Nothing in these conditions restricts, excludes or modifies or purports to restrict, exclude or modify any statutory consumer rights under any applicable law including the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth).
Nine in ten Australian children and six in ten Kiwi children under four are enrolled in formal early learning. There is strong recognition among parents in both countries of early learning. In this article we discuss the importance of early learning and the role that the Kumon Programmes can play.
Defined as formal learning programmes or curriculums that provides education, outside of the home, prior to a child entering primary school, quality early childhood education lays the foundation for children to grow into lifelong learners.
This is due to the rapid development of children’s brains during their early years. At the age of three, a child has 1000 trillion brain synapses. These synapses are the tiny connections between neurons; the cells that make up a person’s brain and central nervous system.
As the child grows older, these synapses are naturally and selectively pruned by the brain By adolescence, it’s estimated an individual’s brain has 500 trillion of these synapses. And this process isn’t random.
“It is the experiences and relationships that infants and young children have that continuously develop their brains and build the neural circuits that will be the foundation for later development”, summarises the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) in a fact card.
This isn’t to say that teens and adults can’t learn new things. Rather, quality early education experiences, from infancy to the beginning of high school, build the foundation for lifelong learning and achievement.
Kumon has long recognised the importance of early learning in supporting children to reaching their potential.
“Children display astonishing progress is exposed to right stimuli during infancy”, stated Toru Kumon, Kumon’s late founder.
“The ability of preschoolers is limitless but we [adults] are the ones who draw out their potential.”
Kumon’s approach in supporting early learning is to develop students’ basic foundations in maths and English.
Through Kumon Maths, early learners develop their counting ability. Those who are ready hone their calculation skills through solving problems in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
In Kumon English, early learners learn to read words, phrases and sentences. They are also instructed on properly writing letters and spelling words. Those who are ready progress to reading and summarising passages from texts.
This article appeared in the second 2019 issue of Potential magazine. Please feel free to read more here.
Despite being in Year 3 primary school, seven year old Tia can solve maths and English problems that Year 6 students work through.
Tia developed her advanced abilities through study of the Kumon Maths and English programmes since 2015. Tia studies at Kumon Pakuranga Education Centre.
Kumon is a personalised after-school tuition programmes which allow students to study at their own pace. This means advanced students, like Tia, can go ahead to study content that is above their school grade. Those who may be falling behind can go back to practise and revise.
Tia says Kumon has helped her greatly in school.
“I am more confident and am able to help other kids in my class with their learning”, Tia says. “I find it easy to do my work in school. I am able to learn things quickly.”
Tia aspires to become a doctor when she grows up.
Tia’s parents say that Kumon helped her daughter to develop skills that will benefit her throughout school and beyond.
“Kumon has helped Tia develop the habit of studying on a daily basis and she has become more confident”, they say.
“Kumon helps kids with their learning and it helps in overall child development.”
One’s earliest experiences lay the foundation for progress in later life. Therefore, Kumon Australia and New Zealand has dedicated this issue of Potential to sharing the experiences of current and former Kumon early learners, and their parents.
We hope you enjoy our digital copy below!
Studying both the Kumon Maths and English programmes supports the development of students’ foundational numeracy and literacy skills.
According to the Queensland Department of Education and Training, numeracy enables students to develop logical thinking and reasoning strategies. They need these qualities in order to solve problems and make sense of time, numbers, patterns and shapes. This supports them in activities like cooking, reading a map or bill, reading instructions, and even playing sport.
Strong literacy skills are equally important, according to the Queensland Department of Education and Training. Literacy enables children to make sense of written, visual and spoken texts. This includes books, newspapers, magazines, timetables, television, radio, signs, maps, conversations and instructions.
The study of literacy also supports students with their numeracy. Research published in the Journal of Educational Research and Practice, indicated that English native language proficiency is a predictor of students’ maths scores.
This backs up assertions made by Toru Kumon, Kumon’s late founder.
“Many of the students who cannot calculate the answers [in maths] do not understand the meaning of the questions”, Toru Kumon said.
“They cannot figure out the answers because their reading comprehension is poor.”
Aside from literacy and numeracy skills, the Kumon Maths and English programmes also support students in developing vital skills. This includes identifying and interpreting information, critical and creative thinking, transferring knowledge into new contexts and a disciplined approach to learning every single day.
Studying both programmes at the same time, can also further enhance reasoning and communication skills in the classroom, and beyond.
Throughout August, Kumon is offering a no-obligation Free Trial of either Kumon Maths or English. Existing students can trial a second subject at no cost. Please contact us for further details and to register your child. T&Cs apply.
Kumon has now come to Mangere, Auckland, to support all children in the local area with maths and English learning.
Kumon Mangere Education Centre is led by Krishan Gallage, a former university maths tutor, university lecturer, IT engineer, and an international school’s head of computing.
Krishan believes that Kumon can help Mangere in many ways.
“Kumon will help children in the area grow into good thinkers and confident self-learners who will contribute to the community”, Krishan says.
“While also supporting children to learn maths and English ahead of their school grade level, Kumon also helps kids develop the necessary study habits to help children master other subjects and extracurricular activities”, he continues.
Kumon Mangere Education Centre is located on the corner of Bader Drive and Ashgrove Road. It’s open on Tuesday and Friday afternoons from 3:30pm – 6:30pm.
For more information please ring Krishan on 027 722 4444 or email kumonmangere@gmail.com.
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