Kumon

Kumon Institute of Education Co. Ltd. (株式会社公文教育研究会) is an educational network based in Japan and created by Toru Kumon. It uses his "Kumon Method" to teach mathematics and reading, primarily to young students.[1]

History

Kumon was founded by Japanese mathematics educator Toru Kumon in July 1958, when he opened the first Kumon Math Center in Moriguchi, Osaka. Prior to creating the Kumon franchise, Kumon taught at Kochi Municipal High School and Tosa Junior/Senior High School. Inspired by teaching his own son, Takeshi, Kumon developed a curriculum focused on rote memorization.[2]

Kumon (the company) gained 63,000 students over its first 16 years. In 1974, Kumon published a book titled The Secret of Kumon Math, leading to a doubling of its size in the next two years.[2] Kumon opened its first United States locations in 1983,[3] and by 1985, Kumon reached 1.4 million students.[2]

Kumon attracted national attention in the United States after it was implemented at Sumiton Elementary School in Sumiton, Alabama.[3] Sumiton continued to use the Kumon program through 2001.[4]

Kumon has over 26,000 centers around the globe with over 4 million registered students.[5][6] In 2018, there were 410,000 students enrolled in 2,200 centers across the United States.[7] With Kumon centers in over 60 countries and regieons worldwide.[6]

In North America, Kumon began a "Junior Kumon" program in 2001, targeted at children aged from 2 to 5 years old.[8]

Kumon method

Kumon is an enrichment or remedial program, where instructors and assistants tailor specific instructions for individual students.[9]

All Kumon programs are pencil-and-worksheet-based, with a digital program that started in 2023. The worksheets increase in difficulty in small increments.[10][11]

Psychologist Kathy Hirsh-Pasek says that using such techniques for pre-kindergarteners "does not give your child a leg up on anything".[8] One study has observed a high percentage of efficacy.[12]

See also

• Storefront school

External links