The Kumon Method: Every Child Can Shine

I believe every child is unique and special. And  has capabilities of his or her own.

I am a mother of four kids with ages 22, 17, 14 and 10. Through the years, I have observed each one of them developed attitude and acquired learning at different levels of their lives. Yet, the one thing I instilled in them during the formative years of their lives – pre-school and elementary years – is for them to be able to stand on their own young as they were. How was it done? I trained them to have a good study habit. They set aside time to study their lessons, review exams, do homework at certain time of the day when I would be available to assist them or guide them.

It worked well for a working mom like me. Since then I hardly have problems with the kids not being able to review or failed his exam.   

Moms and kids nowadays are a lot luckier because there are hundreds of learning, review and tutorial centers where they can go to assist them.

Luckily, Kumon learning center was conceived in the traditional way – that of training the child discover her potentials and discover the joy of learning.

After all, half a century ago, the Kumon Method was born out of a father’s love for his son. High school mathematics teacher Toru Kumon was challenged by his second-grader’s son unsatisfactory exam result in arithmetic.  He then created a collection of original problems that Takeshi would be able to complete progressively, on his own, allowing him to develop his skills gradually.

After much trial and error, he produced a series of handwritten learning materials on loose-leaf A5-sized paper. And his son advanced in his mathematical skills as well.

The Kumon Method  is now available in 47 countries and regions with 4.37 million subject enrollments (as of June 2012). In the Philippines, there are more than 250 Kumon centers with 57,000 students nationwide.

Tadashi Nakatsuka, President of Kumon Philippines Inc., is happy to note that The Kumon Method has remained consistent for over 50 years and has been accepted in many countries despite differences in lifestyle, educational system, and culture. It is our dream to contribute to world peace through education.

With the company’s advocacy of sharing Kumon to a large number of population in the Philippines including the grassroots level, Kumon is conducting free lessons to the children of Payatas in Quezon City, according to Allan Aguirre of Kumon Philippines.

More recently Kumon partnered with Good Enough Parenting group to strengthen stakeholders, teachers and parents to educate and enlighten them on the different topics that will aid in raising a responsible and happy child. Part of KPEPS or Kumon Philippines’ Education and Parenting Seminar, it was launched on July 13 in Pampanga and in August 3 in  Iloilo.

Now on 6th year, and using the Movie Therapy, we have chosen Pampanga and Iloilo to reach more parents and guardians in the different parts of the country,” Aguirre said.

The Kumon Math and Reading programs equip each child with the necessary skills to reach his or her potential with a firm believe that “every child can shine.”

“Having observed tens of thousands of children, we strongly believe that life skills enable children to live happily and to live life to the fullest with dreams and goals, with a willingness to face challenges, and with the motivation to try new things proactively and enthusiastically,” Nakatsuka added.