Kumon is a popular after-school maths program for children and teens. It was developed by master teaching Nobuhiko Kumon in Japan in the 1950s and has since spread to over 50 countries – making it one of the world’s leading supplemental maths courses. But, is Kumon worth it?
This article will delve into this question, considering its advantages and disadvantages, as well as how Kumon could help your child reach their math goals.
Overview of Kumon
Kumon is a math study program designed to instill a “love of learning” in students. It is based on a series of workbooks, each of which focuses on reinforcing foundational math skills before moving on to more difficult concepts.
The program uses a self-learning approach, which one of the primary benefits – it gives students the freedom to learn how they want and move at a comfortable pace. The material in the Kumon program is split into Lower and Upper Level (Elementary and Secondary) programs, as well as Advanced or Algebra programs. It is further categorized by subject.
For example, there are separate books for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, time and decimals. Each of the worksheets follows a self-directed study program, meaning that students have no teacher to guide them – they work their way through the material independently.
Advantages of Kumon for Math
Helps Improve Math Confidence: Kumon is designed with self-learning in mind, so students work independently and can move at their own pace.
This can help students increase their math confidence, as they gain more active involvement in the learning process and can take control of their own education. Creative Problem-solving: Kumon encourages creative problem-solving by giving students different ways to approach the same problem.
This helps them develop more flexible thinking skills and learn to break down problems, which in turn helps them to apply their understanding of mathematical concepts to more challenging tasks. Mastery-based Learning: Kumon encourages mastery-based learning – meaning that students practise and reinforce a single subject or concept until they have full understanding and mastery.
This helps to build up a strong understanding of math and gives students the tools to tackle math concepts with confidence.
Disadvantages of Kumon for Math
Limited Access to Instruction: Since Kumon follows a self-learning methodology, the program does not provide personalized instruction, which some students may need for full understanding.
This can cause some students to struggle with concepts or become bored and lose interest in math. Limited Variety: Kumon only offers a limited curriculum, which can cause students to become bored if they are used to more variety.
Additionally, some students may find the work too repetitive, which can lead to them not being engaged in the material.
Cost: Although Kumon offers a lower cost compared to many other math programs, it can still be expensive if students pursue all of the material offered. Also, the cost varies greatly depending on the location, so it can be difficult to find an affordable Kumon center if you are not familiar with the area.
Is Kumon Worth It?
When considering whether or not Kumon is worth it for math, it is important to consider both the advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, Kumon offers a self-guided learning approach that helps increase math confidence and encourages creative problem solving. On the other hand, limited access to instruction, limited variety, and cost may be disadvantages for some.
Ultimately, the decision to enroll your child in the Kumon program will depend on their individual needs and goals. Kumon could be the perfect choice for children who are already comfortable with the material and just need some extra guidance or additional practice to stay on track.
On the other hand, Kumon might not be the best fit for students who need more personalized attention or those who prefer a more active learning style with more variety.
Conclusion
Kumon is a popular supplemental math program that can be a great fit for some students, as it’s designed to encourage self-learning and mastery-based learning. However, it’s important to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of the program before making a decision, as it may not be the best fit for all students. It’s also important to remember that Kumon is not a substitute for a quality education – it should only supplement the math learning your child is already receiving.