About KUMON Park Slope
KUMON is a different kind of after-school learning program that is designed not only to help children excel in math and reading, but also to help them become better, more capable learners. By emphasizing a 'back to basics' meets 'practice makes perfect' approach, KUMON math and reading programs help students master the fundamental skills that are so important to their future success. As a result, KUMON students enjoy increased academic proficiency while developing the invaluable qualities of self-discipline and confidence.
The KUMON Method was born fifty years ago in a Japanese household. The step-by-step, incremental approach to math and reading was designed by Toru Kumon, a high-school teacher and later founder of the KUMON Institute of Education, to help his second-grade son Takeshi do better in math. At the behest of his wife, Toru created twenty-minute worksheets by hand for Takeshi to study every day. Reflecting Toru's belief that educators should encourage a child's motivation first and foremost, each worksheet was designed to be slightly more difficult than that of the day before, so that his son would continue to be inspired by his studies, and could advance without stress.
Toru later devised worksheets for reading as well. Convinced of the value of his own educational method, Toru opened a learning center with his wife on the second floor of their house in 1955. As the years went by, the KUMON Learning Center gradually gained in reputation, as its students' grades in school dramatically improved. For instance, Takeshi was able to solve high-school level differential and integral calculus problems at the age of twelve.
As more people learned of the efficacy of the KUMON Method, the mom-and-pop learning center grew. Centers began opening throughout Japan. Today, KUMON runs the world's largest supplemental education program, with 73,800 regional learning centers in 45 countries and a student population of over 4 million.
The KUMON Method was developed to unlock the potential in every child. Let your child amaze you!