The Kumon method is widely seen as a way to give children an all-round education, but is there a link between being smart and the use of Kumon? In this article, we explore the potential of the Kumon system, and ask whether it is truly a program that’s specifically designed to help smart kids excel.
What Is the Kumon Program?
The Kumon program is a supplemental education system that stresses the importance of repetition and incremental improvement. It returns to the fundament of learning: mastering the basics before continuing to the next level. Practices like completing tests to earn points, a delay before giving answers, and subsequent reviews are also key to the system.
The approach of Kumon is quite different from that of a typical school, and it is not just a homework helper. It has a learning system that includes lessons and tests, and its primary focus is on certain maths and English topics.
The biggest advantage of this tutoring program is the confidence and motivation it can bring to those who complete the course. There is also the concept of ‘Kumon graders’, which are individuals who are available to check the progress of the student and perform additional tests or evaluations in order to build up their knowledge.
Such experts also help to identify and remedy any signs of struggling.
Are Kumon Students Smarter Than Others?
Kumon is not a system specifically designed for smarter kids. It’s goal is to help learners of all levels and ages to improve and to give them the tools to succeed. Its focus on fundamental learning methods and practice makes it ideal for those who need to restart their learning journey and understand more complicated topics.
As well as responding to the typical curriculum, it can also be customised to meet the needs of each student. However, many Kumon graduates go on to become high achievers, with studies showing a correlation between success and the program.
The system claims to help students develop problem-solving approaches and abstract reasoning, which can lead to the student becoming an above-average learner. There is evidence of particular growth in reading and maths among Kumon students, as they are encouraged to practice key topics until they stuck such as addition and subtraction. They become more rhythmical and intuitive to them over time.
The Kumon system has a particular focus on developing concentration and attention to detail, with activities taking an hour or more to finish. This is what supporters believe leads to overall intelligence.
Do Kumon Instructors Change Learning Styles?
Kumon instructors vary in the teaching approaches they use. Each instructor will likely bring their own style of teaching, which can range from a calm atmosphere to one that is more stimulating. As most instructors are certified to teach the program, they usually vary in how they make the subject more interesting.
Some may use specific methodologies such as The Six Thinking Hats or Disruptive Design, while others employ traditional teaching solutions. In terms of knowledge, Kumon instructors usually offer explanation to questions, feedback and rewards.
This can include activities that help the learner feel able to express their points of view. Furthermore, the instructors are expected to confide in students and create a warm environment in order to build trust and encourage collaboration. It is important to select the right Kumon instructor, so that they can drive the learning process and make it more fascinating.
The teacher should have a certain level of knowledge and skills, such as having motivational techniques as well as ability to explain complicated concepts without too much difficulty.
Can Kumon Help to Strengthen Memory?
The notion of being able to strengthen memory with the Kumon system is often discussed among educators and parents. It is believed that due to the system’s focus on repetition and its use of progression, a student’s memory and recall can be improved. For instance, the memory tends to be better when there is positive reinforcement.
Practice activities are an essential part of Kumon and these activities can span from solving puzzles to reading stories. When addressing the same puzzle or story over and over again, the learner is likely to use their memory more effectively.
Furthermore, Kumon relies heavily on self-learning and personal discipline, as the student can take cues from the instructor and move forward confidently. The self-prompting nature of Kumon, which is based on individual goal-setting, can also help in the strengthening of memory.
Students will continuously have to recall their last exercises and use that to build upon, which ultimately leads to better memory. In other words, Kumon’s culture of understanding and perseverance leads to the reinforcement of memory skills that are relevant to other educational goals and interests.
Conclusion
In this article, we explored the potential of Kumon, as well as its preconceived idea of it being an exclusive system only for smart kids. The system is least certainly not limited to smart students, as it has been found to accelerate the learning of more average learners, as well as those who struggle with their studies. It is a method that tailors to a wide array of needs, including developing problem-solving approaches, abstract reasoning, and memory.
The focus on fundamental learning methods and practice makes it an ideal system for improving the learning capabilities of each student. Kumon is suitable for those who need to restart their learning journey, as well as those who have the ability to ace any subject they come across.