The Importance of Independent Learning 

Recently I have had some questions from parents who are confused about the self-learning part of the Kumon Method. Self learning is an absolutely essential concept, without which our students never could reach their potential.

As you may recall from the Parent Orientation, there are three aspects to the measurement of mastery: accuracy, independence and speed. In order for a student to have mastered a concept, he must be able to solve the problems independently, that is, without help. For this reason, we encourage students to solve the problems as much as possible without assistance. This does not mean we don't teach: it just means that we prefer to minimize it for the optimal development of the student.

New concepts are always taught by examples in the worksheets. My very strongest students have been able to proceed through the program never asking for assistance. This is character building.

Mr. Kumon himself, when asked by a student for help, would advise the student to copy the example five times. By so doing, the student would come to a better understanding of the example and then find he could solve the problems without assistance.

I have just returned from Vancouver, BC, where I was one of the speakers at the annual Kumon North America Instructors' Conference. There were 1104 Instructors in attendance. The featured speaker was from Japan. She is an extraordinarily successful Instructor as measured by her students' success. She has a rule in her Center: she will assist a student no more than three seconds; graders may assist no more than ten seconds. The videos of the independence and self assurance of even the very youngest of her students were astonishing. While we do not adhere to that rule at our Centers, my own experience is that as we have moved over the years to less teaching and more encouragement, our students h
ave risen to higher and higher levels.

If you find yourself teaching your student at home, I encourage you to reduce it and to start guiding rather than teaching. Should you like more personalized advice as it relates to your particular child, please bring it up at the goal setting conference you will be scheduling.

I look forward to helping your family encourage your student to be even more amazing!

If you would like more information about the Kumon Method, please be sure to ask for your complimentary copy of the Kumon classic book, "Every Child an Achiever," from our reception personnel.