How does Kumon work?

Our worksheet-based study programmes have evolved over the course of over 60 years, learning from our students about how best to help them succeed, build confidence and develop self-learning skills for a bright future. The Kumon programmes are for every child, whether gifted or in need of extra help, and every child will follow their own path of learning, working at a pace and level which is just right for them. In this way, we will ensure they develop a firm foundation in maths and English while becoming an independent, confident learner equipped for success.

The Kumon worksheets are traditionally studied on paper with a pencil and eraser so that children can work with speed and focus and are encouraged to spot and correct any mistakes as they go. KUMON CONNECT allows the student to access and work on the same worksheets and study programme with a tablet and stylus. The Instructor can set and adjust new work remotely and each student can work on the go submitting their completed work daily.

How it works

1.Easing them in

Following an initial diagnostic test, your child will study familiar work to build their confidence, develop their study skills and build work habits. From day one, the Kumon Instructor will be working on building your child’s concentration, ensuring they sit with a good posture and work at a steady rhythm, as they get into the habit of studying every day and understand how to progress through the worksheets.

2. Encouraging independence
As students move on to work they haven’t seen before, they begin to learn new topics by themself, by following the instructions and examples on the worksheets. Here, students will be building on what they’ve learned in the previous worksheets, they will be correcting their own mistakes and will know how to use the hints given. They will also develop the ability to work under timed conditions.

3. Having confidence in their own abilities
As students advance, they are able to apply their knowledge to review the questions and select the most appropriate methods and techniques to tackle high-level work. By this stage, they will be able to take ownership of their own learning and set their own goals. They will be increasingly independent and will tackle work with an ‘I can do it’ attitude.

4. The support of a Kumon parent
While the Instructor supports and guides your child, parents also play an important role in supporting learning at home. 

•  Creating the right environment - helping them to establish a quiet space they can work that allows them to give their full attention to their daily study.

•  Schedule their study time - supporting them to create a study routine where they can give a short amount of focussed time.

•  Encourage them to complete corrections promptly - once the worksheets are marked, your child should correct their mistakes before progressing so are able to learn from the corrections. If your child experiences particular difficulties with a particular question or worksheet, they can let the Instructor know and it can be addressed during the next class.

Focusing on the improvements a parent notices in their child, no matter how small, helps build confidence in their own abilities and maintains their motivation and enthusiasm for learning.

At Kumon, we want your child’s learning to be a positive experience. Setting medium and long-term goals in consultation with your child will allow the Instructor to make a study projection to achieve these. The Instructor provides feedback and guidance based on their observations (paying attention to the development of your child’s study skills, how they tackle new work, their ability to self-correct and their growing maths and English proficiency) to help build their academic and self-learning skills. 

As a Kumon student progresses through their Kumon journey, they will increasingly take charge of their own learning, as they become an independent learner.

Discover your child’s potential and book a FREE Assessment with your local study centre.