August 2016

How to Create a Self-Learner

The ultimate goal of education should be
to create self-learners. Self-learners have
strong basic skills, are self-confident,
know how to read directions and follow
examples, and can attempt and master new
material without assistance.
They’re also the students who excel in
high school and college. And this is why
self-learning has long been the most
important principle of the Kumon
program.
Creating a self-learner requires some
degree of self-discipline from parents.
Answering an occasional question while
your child is completing the worksheets is
fine, but assisting your child regularly is
detrimental to his or her progress.
If your child accurately records completion
times and corrections, your instructor can
ensure the work is always at that “just
right” level. But if your child frequently
asks for your help, it could be a sign that
the work has become too difficult.
When this happens, don’t help. Instead,
tell your instructor so the work can be
adjusted if needed. That’s how to create
a self-learner!

Math Level H … and Beyond Don’t Push Grade-Level Study

If your child has reached math level H, congratulations are in
order! Math Level H is the last half of Algebra I, and a
difficult level. However, going forward, math levels I and
beyond can be even more of a challenge.
In these levels you’ll notice increased repetition, as students
often need extra practice before achieving mastery. That’s why
children frequently back up and repeat certain sections.
This school year, some students will study grade-level material
and others will be studying material ahead of their grade level.
If your student has not reached grade-level work yet, he or she
needs more work on the basics to develop the confidence needed
for more advanced grade-level concepts. In both math and
reading, each concept builds on the previous concept; one must
be mastered before the next can be understood.

Encourage your child! Remember, math level H is the last
level before reaching high school math, and mastering it is a
major achievement!
If we introduce grade-level materials too soon, your child will
struggle and lose confidence. Be patient and give your child
time. With hard work and perseverance, any student can
successfully master grade-level material and move on to
advanced study.

Ponte Vedra Square, 280 Solana Road

Ponte Vedra, FL 32082
904-285-7775 kumon.pontevedra@comcast.net
www.kumon.com/ponte-vedra
Balancing School, Activities, and Kumon
For many families, the return of the
school year also means returning to a
frantic pace, with after-school activities,
school clubs, sports, homework, and, of
course, Kumon.
Kumon is a priority
Before the kids go back to school and
schedules become too hectic, sit down
with your child and make a commitment
to incorporate Kumon into his or her
daily activities by creating a plan for
completing the daily assignments. By
ensuring your child has a consistent time
to complete the daily work, you are
showing that Kumon is a priority in your
household.
The Homework Tug-of-War
To win the homework tug-of-war with
your child, it’s important to explain that
getting an education is his or her “job,”
and Kumon and school homework is a
requirement for completing that job
successfully. Explain that everyone has to
go to a job each day: you to work, your
child to school and Kumon.
While your child completes the daily
Kumon work, do your own version of
daily “homework.” If your child feels
everyone is studying, he or she might
complain less. Make homework a
nonnegotiable part of your child’s life.
And remember, the more supportive you
are, the more he or she will want to
complete school and Kumon homework.
And there will be fewer tugs-of-war!
Kumon is a long-term program. Our goal is
to make high school work easy and to
prepare all students for college, but this does
not happen overnight. Those who are
dedicated to completing their daily Kumon
assignments are on the right path. Keep up
the good work!
Alternatives If these aren’t realistic options, you may
have to cut down on the amount of time
Remember, most Kumon assignments
your child spends on Kumon a day; talk
take 20 minutes or less to complete.
with your Kumon instructor about
Think ahead about things that might
reducing the number of daily worksheet
cause your child to struggle to complete
pages your child is assigned.
his or her daily Kumon work. Perhaps he
or she is too tired after sports practice to Set up for success
complete the daily assignments. Then
By coming up with a realistic plan now,
suggest Kumon work be completed
you’ll avoid upsets during the school
before school or before sports practice.
year, and you’ll be setting your child up
If there truly isn’t enough time for your for success this year and in the future.
child to complete daily Kumon work, you
might consider canceling one after-school
activity or putting it on hold until winter.
After all, isn’t it more important that your
child get ahead academically?
Question of the Month: How Can I
Best Help My Child Learn?
Parents often focus on what a child does or does not know, but it’s also important to
understand your child’s unique learning style. Once you understand how your child
learns, you can help him or her select study techniques to learn faster.
According to psychologists, each of us typically falls into one of the following
learning categories. Most of us use a blend of styles, but usually rely more heavily
on one than on the others. And note that children don’t always have the same
learning styles as parents; just because you’re a visual learner doesn’t mean your
child is.
Visual learner – Learns best by reading directions or being “shown” how to do
something.
Auditory learner – Learns best by hearing information.
Kinesthetic learner – Learns best through movement. Has trouble sitting still.
Tactile learner – Learns best by handling objects. Needs to be hands-on.
Once you know your child’s learning style, you can determine which techniques
will help him or her learn. If, for example, your child is preparing for a spelling test
and is a visual learner, he or she may rewrite the spelling list, while an auditory
learner might spell the words aloud. A kinesthetic learner may want to spell the
words while jumping rope; and a tactile learner might spell the words in magnetic
letters on the refrigerator. Whatever works is what’s best for your child.