Frequently Asked Questions

Answered by Dr. Mary Mokris, vice president of materials & instruction at Kumon North
America

Question One: “Will Kumon replicate my child’s school curriculum?”

ANSWER: Kumon is meant to supplement your child’s school curriculum, not replace it.
Our unique curriculum begins at the preschool level and progresses through high school level
material. It is designed so that students can move as quickly as possible through the materials
while building independence and self-learning skills. Whether it is for enrichment or
reinforcement, Kumon will help your child become a better learner while mastering essential
math and reading skills.

Question Two: “How long will it take for my child to catch up to grade level?”

ANSWER: Kumon is an individualized program that differs from tutoring services, which
provide short term boosts in performance or a “quick fix.” Our short term goal is to have all
students reach grade level within twelve months. Some students may take a little bit longer but
some may achieve that goal more quickly. Our long term goal is for the students to complete the
program. The long term effects of completing the program will benefit children beyond high
school and into their college careers.

Question Three: “What is Kumon’s ‘Comfortable Starting Point’?”

ANSWER: Using the placement test as a guide, your Kumon Instructor determines the point in
the program where your child can complete the material with confidence and ease. Working at a
comfortable starting point in the early weeks of Kumon allows time for your child to get used to
the curriculum and routine. This is also the time when he or she will build self-esteem and
develop good study habits, including concentration, discipline and endurance. Once your child
has developed strong study skills and the ability to work through the levels independently, he or
she can then progress into the advanced levels.

Question Four: “Why isn’t my child progressing faster with Kumon?”

ANSWER: When students first begin Kumon, there is often a very quick pace of advancement.
Eventually, every child will advance to a point where he or she will need more time to master
challenging material. Until a child completely masters a skill, we don’t want them moving
forward into anything unfamiliar, as the material in the subsequent levels will gradually become
more difficult. By succeeding early and without constant intervention, Kumon students gain the
motivation to set their own goals and tackle the advanced levels.

Question Five: “What if my child doesn’t want to do Kumon?”

ANSWER: Self-motivation is a difficult skill to nurture in a child, but as a parent, there are
certain skills we must teach our children to do every day – like making their bed, brushing their
teeth and eating a healthy diet–these are important daily life skills we all practice. Like with any
sport or musical instrument, daily practice is needed to be successful. Kumon allows students to
practice their math and reading skills to the point where they are mastered. Like little maestros
with an instrument, daily practice in Kumon can help students achieve their full potential.

Question Six: “My child has caught up to grade level. Why should we continue with the
program?”

ANSWER: Once a child has caught up to grade level in Kumon, it can be a wonderful time and a
moment where they recognize the lifelong benefits of the program. Being exposed to new
material at Kumon prior to seeing it in school will make the concept easier to grasp and
schoolwork easier to complete. The qualities nurtured by Kumon--like confidence, perseverance
and independence-will continue to develop as a child progresses through the higher levels.
Children who exceed grade level will suddenly have more confidence in their ability and surpass
their own expectations, as well as those of their parents. When a child is learning materials based
on their ability, not age or grade, it’s an amazing opportunity for them to discover their full
potential.

Question Seven: “Why must my child be timed and complete assignments so quickly?”

ANSWER: Kumon looks at the speed at which the student completes the material to determine
whether or not that skill has been sufficiently mastered. We have studied Kumon students
around the world to identify the most appropriate target time for them to be able to finish a
worksheet. In Kumon, we call this the “Standard Completion Time.” When students get the
correct answers without struggle or delay, it is clear that they are adequately prepared to move on
to new material.

In addition, by timing the work daily, your child will decrease stress and build confidence.
Throughout a child’s development into adulthood, there will be tests. If we can help children
become comfortable with test-taking situations early on, and focus on helping them with learning
material to the best of their ability, they will gain critical skills needed in high school, college
and beyond.

Question Eight: “How does Kumon foster critical thinking and problem solving skills?”

ANSWER: Students in Kumon develop a strong foundation of math and reading skills, allowing
them to analyze and assess problems at a deeper and more advanced level. Critical thinking and
problem solving skills will develop as your child progresses to the higher levels. During the first
years in Kumon, a child is developing a strong mastery of the basics. A child will read and study
the example and learn from the step-by-step instructions. Using critical thinking and problem
solving skills, the child will learn the new concept independently.
Question Nine: “Why will my child repeat assignments in Kumon?”

ANSWER: Remember that practice makes perfect, and just like with any sport or instrument,
practice is essential. Kumon’s unique system utilizes repetition with subtle variations as students
gradually advance. Our students master concepts by applying them again and again, until they
are second nature, and in turn foster confidence and perseverance. The instructor will observe
your child at work and adjust his or her lesson plans to be highly individualized, include as much
or as little repetition as is needed for mastery and keep your child on track to reach his or her
goals.

Question Ten: “How is Kumon individualized for each student?”

ANSWER: Every child’s lesson plan is individualized by the instructor. The instructor is
constantly observing at the center and re-assessing each lesson plan to ensure the students are
getting material that is “just right” for them. The instructor will also use the homework and
classwork results and study the amount of time it takes to complete the work with accuracy. This
information will help to gauge when the skills have been mastered and the student should
advance to the next level. The decision made by your child's instructor to repeat material before
advancing is based on careful evaluation of his or her individual performance.

Question Eleven: “Why is it important for my child to learn independently?”

ANSWER: The skills we foster in Kumon extend beyond math and reading and will develop the
study skills your child needs to be a more capable and self-reliant student. Kumon builds
problem solving and critical thinking skills, which allow students to self-learn in the higher
levels. This translates into independent learners who can do things on their own, while traditional
tutoring services actually foster dependence. Kumon students don’t have to rely on anyone else,
and no matter what they want to do later in life, they have that choice and the confidence to
achieve their goals. Kumon does not tutor children, but rather fosters the skills and confidence
they’ll need to succeed on their own.

Question Twelve: “Why can’t Kumon be more flexible with the order of the material
covered?”

ANSWER: The Kumon curriculum is made up of a gradual sequence of worksheets that enable
students to succeed on their own. Our linear approach is carefully designed to introduce topics
sequentially and to allow students to work through the material step-by-step by themselves. This
systematic approach introduces concepts in a way that lets children understand and apply them
without being taught in the traditional sense, which in turn strengthens the skills needed in
school.
The instructor prepares an individualized lesson plan for your child for every single class. Each
child receives material that is appropriate for him or her. If your child needs advanced work or
needs to catch up to grade level, he or she will be given work to meet his or her needs.

Question Thirteen: “Sometimes it’s tough to motivate my child. How can I encourage my
child to do the extra work?”

ANSWER: The most effective way to handle this challenge is to show enthusiasm for your
child's progress every single day. While you give praise for hard work, also acknowledge that
not everything is easy. It is important for children to learn that hurdles are a natural part of life.
In order to meet a goal and feel success, it takes discipline and hard work. Kumon students gain
motivation to set their own goals and tackle even more challenging material over time. We are
preparing children with critical life skills, so that they can become independent and have a
greater number of choices in the future.