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News

August 30, 2019

Foundation for a Brighter Tomorrow

Free Trial, Goal Setting, Math, The Kumon Method

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Robert Bryan Yee did not have any plans of enrolling in Kumon. His mother just told him to join a 2-Week Free Trial at a nearby Kumon Center. What made him excited was when he found out about the topics per level and the level of difficulty for each. This was because he loves to take challenges especially the mental ones. From there, Bryan realized that math is not really a boring subject after all. What makes a big difference is how the topic is presented and how he deals with it.

Developing Skills in Kumon

Kumon developed Bryan in a number of ways. It taught him to be independent in his studies, manage his time properly, and gain self-confidence when it comes to academics. Kumon also gave him an upper hand in dealing with mathematics when he reached college. In fact, Bryan feels happy because through his determination, perseverance and hard work, he was able to achieve his goal.

It was easy for Bryan to understand mathematical problems, even the complex ones; thus, it gave him more time to focus on other subjects and activities. As a result, studying in school became less stressful for him and it gave him more time to cool off his mind.

“I was getting high scores in math particularly in college algebra, trigonometry, and calculus even if I did not make much effort in reviewing my lessons. Kumon had already instilled in my mind the mentioned topics before I went to college.”

Kumon also changed the way Bryan thinks. He became more analytical in thinking and he made decisions clearer and faster. In his chosen career as a quality assurance chemist, it is imperative to think fast and be analytical in approaching problems. From answering tons of problems, Kumon shaped him into a person with strong determination and passion.

“If there is something I would love to do, I would do it with passion and I am determined to finish it until the end. I may experience many failures in life; but for me, it is all right to fail. Failure is like a part of a jigsaw puzzle. The more failures I have, the more I will know what is right for me, which will complete the whole puzzle that is success. “

But most of all, because of Kumon, Bryan developed positive thinking in all matters. Whenever he faces a challenge, be it in life or school, he can calmly say to himself that he can make it through and there is no need to panic. He developed the kind of thinking that if others can do it, so can he.

Parental Support

Aside from financial support, Bryan‘s parents supported him by giving him space in studying. “After I came home from school, they would always let me do my own thing. It is hard to focus while studying for both Kumon and school as it demands great effort, so I think they understood the situation I had since they would avoid disturbing me or giving me chores until I was done.”

For visits to the Center, Bryan’s father would always make an effort to fetch him together with his brother even if he had work to attend to. He is thankful for his father’s unconditional love and support. On the other hand, his mother would always give him encouragement to achieve more. She would always tell him to do his best so that he can create a milestone. Also, because of her, Bryan took up the elective math levels in Kumon – Level X. “She told me that what I would learn would be relevant to me and the additional knowledge gained would be helpful when I reach college.”

This guiding principle led Bryan to become successful. He graduated cum laude from the University of Santo Tomas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. Luckily, he made it to the top 8 in the Chemistry Board Examination last October 2016. “I am very thankful for my mother’s continuous push for me to finish the program. She really is the wind beneath my wings that helped me to fly high, achieve my ambition, and pursue my dreams in life.”

Road to Completion

The advice that Bryan can give to those who are aspiring to become Completers and experiencing difficulties is never to think of giving up. Having this kind of thought could lead them to a dull mentality and it will be harder for them to think clearly.

“If you are having any difficulties, always remember that you did not reach that point if you did not understand the previous topics. Always be mindful of the basics when dealing with complex topics – that is the most fundamental rule when learning new material. If the topic still overwhelms you and needs extra effort to be analyzed, seek help from your instructor and vent out your frustrations to your parents.”

And most importantly, Bryan encourages aspiring Completers to enjoy the program.

“Continue to strive for greatness. Always remember that hard work, perseverance, diligence and dedication always follow success. Make that your motivation and you are good to go.”

Bryan’s inspiration to complete the program then were the Completers who came before him. When he saw the names and faces posted on the list of Completers in the Kumon Center, he said to myself, “I want to be in there, too.” He wanted to finish the program just like them, but he never thought that he could finish it sooner than they did. And miraculously, Bryan did achieve that – and so much more.

News

August 30, 2019

‘Can Do’ Attitude

Free Trial, Math, The Kumon Method

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“Every time I create a reason to quit, I also find a reason wanting to come back”

This is how Leo Dones, a licensed Engineer, described his Kumon experience while trying to recall his Kumon journey way back in 2010. He was in third year high school when his mom enrolled him in the program after knowing about the Free Trial campaign.

Eight years later, Leo recollects how his past undertakings in the Math Program largely contributed to where he is today.

“If something we want is easy, then it is possible. But if it so hard, then we have to try each possible condition, until what we want is within our grasp.”

The Kumon Experience

At first, Leo was unaware of the method until his mom enrolled him in the Math Program during the Free Trial month. He was skeptical about the touted benefits that the program offered. But since it was a free trial, he decided to grab the opportunity.

Leo found everything relatively easy compared to the actual topics he was learning in school during the next few months of his stay. “I thought that I was just having a trip back to memory lane since my starting point was in Level A (Horizontal Addition and Subtraction) so I felt like it was a mere walk in the park,” he adds.

Unfortunately, Leo stopped three times throughout the program because he found out that he had to focus all his effort in school as a fourth year graduating student in 2011. He started to feel like Kumon was an additional load to his studies. “I even thought I did not need to go back and refresh my high school mathematics to add to the bulk of my studies as an Electronics Engineer student,” Leo recounts.

This was the case until he went to college and realized that the advanced calculations tackled in the worksheets made sense to him.

Finding the Inspiration to Go Further

For Leo, recalling the concepts, processes, and formulas from the previous levels slowed his progress towards completion. “Thankfully enough, I have my parents who constantly inspire and push me to finish the last stages of the program, and I consistently prayed to God for him to give me the incessant passion to finish my worksheets.”

Leo served as an inspiration to his younger sister too who is already nearing completion in the Reading Program. “It’s good to know that somehow, I became an inspiration to her,” he proudly says.

Leo also shares how Kumon became a meaningful path he needed to take to have an edge in college. It gave him a ‘can do’ attitude and felt that if he overcame the Math Program, then he can overcome any issue may it be in work or in life.

“At work, Kumon taught me how to create alternative ways in solving anything even if the issues were technical. Some of these issues are related to computer algorithms to see how they work. As a Software Engineer, Kumon developed my skills to think out of the box. Since the program will only show you the basics, you will be forced to think outside of the box especially on the higher levels. This skill helped me so much in shaping my work ethics,” he adds.

A Lifelong Pledge to Learning

“Everything you want has to be worked upon with due diligence and passion. The program was not easy, and it made me realize that we have to push the envelope in order to strive to accomplish our dreams.”

Leo’s first advice is simple: begin with an end in mind.

If your eyes are dead set on the prize, then nothing can stop you from reaching that goal. “If this is possible for those before me, then it is possible to me too,” he shares.

His last advice is quoted from a video game which says, “Heroes are never as polished as the legends that surround them.” Surround yourself with the most inspiring people that will help you push yourself to complete the program. “For me, there was never a day that my mom would stop inspiring me to complete the program. Finally, keep praying to God for the constant desire to complete it.”

News

August 30, 2019

Love For Math From Then ‘Til Now

Completion, Free Trial, Goal Setting, Math, Reading, The Kumon Method

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As long as Ma. Arselene Aquino could remember, math was her favorite subject. It’s no wonder that she was excited for her Kumon journey back in October 2002. She and her mother found out about Kumon through her classmate’s grandfather. After attending the Parent Orientation, her mother was amazed with how Kumon works and immediately registered her for the Free Trial available at that time.

By being enrolled in both the Math and Reading Programs, Arselene was able to notice a significant improvement in two aspects of her work. First, she was able to improve on her carelessness and her tendency to commit errors in solving math problems; and second, she was able to develop her comprehension skills and a love for reading. Through the years, Kumon continued to play a big part in propelling her to success in school and in her chosen career. In fact, she was awarded as one of the Top Employees of BDO in 2014.

The pull to continue

Just like any other student, there were times that Arselene really wanted to give up. She can still remember the extra hours she spent in the Center with her Kumon Instructor just to finish my Math and Reading worksheets. There were times when she felt that she already knew how to solve a difficult problem in math, but the next problems got even more difficult. There were also times when she still could not understand a passage even after reading it a number of times.

“I was blessed enough to have two supportive mothers, my mom and my Kumon Instructor, Teacher Nelia. Both of them have always encouraged me to continue and finish Kumon. They would always tell me that once I finish, I will be able to see the benefits of all my hard work and effort. In fact, my mom would always remind me that there is always happiness and fulfillment after all the sacrifices.”

The push to complete

What really pushed Arselene to complete the program were three things: first, she was driven by her mantra of having to finish what she started. “I realized that if I just quit, I might develop the habit of starting things and not completing them.”

Second, she was inspired by how people saw her as a role model. “Relatives and family friends wanted their own children to be just like me – excelling in school and sharing the knowledge with friends. This made me realize that what I was doing then was a blessing to me and the people around me.“

Last, she developed perseverance and patience to work hard. When faced with the challenge of solving difficult topics in the worksheets, she learned to do her best. “All my efforts would be put to waste if I did not achieve the ultimate goal of completion. What really helped me get through it all was the support of everyone, especially my parents and Kumon teachers.”

The pull to be better

There are four things Arselene is most thankful for in her Kumon journey. One is her love for reading. She was not a reader back then; but through reading passages and borrowing books from the mini library every Center day, she eventually became a reader who reads and buys books whenever she visit the bookstore. “I even have a mini library at home filled with books from all genres. Throughout my journey, I have developed my reading comprehension ability and widened my vocabulary.”

Two is her preparedness for her academic life. Kumon helped Arselene be better prepared for entrance exams and for other academic responsibilities. She was an advanced student so she learned topics ahead of time – and these were the topics that came out in the entrance exams. She also developed mental calculation ability which helped me solve math problems faster.

Third is her value for patience and time management. “For patience, I learned that all things can be achieved in good time and with a lot of hard work. For time management, I learned that I must always keep my deadline in mind so that I avoid postponing my tasks to the next day and eventually end up with a long list of things to do.”

The push to do her best

In her career, Arselene has been able to apply certain practices that she used to do when I was in Kumon. She has been with BDO for six years, where she started as an Accounting Assistant in the Tordesillas Branch in Makati City. This position involved making sure that each and every transaction that the teller makes is correct and that the cash flow is balanced. If there are discrepancies, she has to go through and check all the transactions and documents to spot the mistake.

“In order to ensure that the transactions are balanced, patience and perseverance are needed when I work through the calculations– similar to how I answered and corrected difficult topics in Kumon.”

Recently, the area head got Arselene as her Administrative Assistant. Compared to her previous position, her current position calls for her to consolidate month end reports, requests, and requirements that the 27 branches under a certain area would need. “I make use of my time management skills to be able to cater to all the requests and to all other tasks that need to be done.”

Also, Arselene was lucky to be included as one of the Top Employees of BDO in 2014 (Smart Frontliners). In order to qualify for this award, one would need to have a high performance rating and be an awardee for 12 consecutive months. There is an awarding ceremony where all awardees are recognized on stage with the bosses, heads of departments, and other awardees in the audience.

Push and pull for other students

What advice can Arselene give to students who are aspiring to complete the program?

“No matter how difficult the worksheets may seem, always remember that you can do it! Don’t give up and never quit – it is not an option. You may think that your parents are unfair for making you do Kumon; but in the long run, you will be able to appreciate how Kumon has changed you, and you will be able to proudly say, “I am a Kumon Completer!” Keep in mind that Kumon is not only for the improvement of your academic skills, but it also molds your character and helps you develop life skills to eventually lead a successful life.”

News

August 30, 2019

Four to Tango: A Kumon Parent’s Pin to Success

Free Trial, Math, Parenting, Reading, The Kumon Method

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It was a 2-Week Free Trial advertisement that came as a sign for Mrs. Gabriel to push her daughter, Emille Angelie, to try Kumon. What started as a trial became a long-term stay and eventually, a deciding factor in enrolling Emille’s younger sister, Princess Victoria.

Eight years later, Emille is now a Math and Reading Completer, while Princess is currently enrolled in the Reading Program and just recently became a Math Completer as well. Indeed, the Gabriel Family’s Kumon journey paved the way to great successes for both Emille and Princess throughout the years.

Deciding to Stay

Mrs. Gabriel believes that enrolling her daughters in Kumon is one of the best decisions she has ever made as a parent.

“With all the traits that Emille and Princess have acquired, such as perseverance, patience, time management, focus, and discipline, I can say that I made the right decision.”

For Emille, she believes that Kumon changed her into a better person. “I am able to manage my time more properly, I became independent, responsible, plus I developed positive thinking and patience.” With this, Emille gained confidence especially when reciting in class and socializing with classmates.

For Princess, she felt happier because she was able to reach her goal. Like Emille, she gained independence, time-management skills, and confidence. “Also, Kumon develops my calculation skills which make it easier for me to understand my math lessons in school.”

Mrs. Gabriel and Her Daughters - Four to Tango: A Kumon Parent’s Pin to Success

Balancing Act

To be enrolled in Kumon means advanced learning in Math and Reading. This held true for the Gabriel siblings since they used a lot of their extra time in studying other subjects in school instead of reviewing their math subject. With this, a lot of opportunities opened up for Emille and Princess. They participated in big competitions such as the Mathematics Team (MTG Philippines) and they maintained being part of the honor roll in school.

“Kumon has opened the doors in order for my daughters to gain much confidence. This is a good foundation for them until they reach college,” Mrs. Gabriel proudly says.

Influencing at a Larger Scale

Gabriel Siblings: Four to Tango: A Kumon Parent’s Pin to Success

The Gabriel siblings share that they have been supporting each other for the longest time – from pushing one another in finishing their worksheets to encouraging each other in joining extra-curricular activities. For Princess, she motivates her sister through telling her meaningful sayings from well-known people. “I also remind her to analyze the stories and questions in her worksheets,” Princess adds. For Emille, she constantly pushes her sister to reach her goals. “I always tell her that no one else will do it for her- she is the only one who can do it for herself.”

There are two pieces of advice that Mrs. Gabriel wants to share with her fellow Kumon parents. First, do not let your children quit Kumon. “As parents, we are the decision makers when it comes to the welfare and education of our children. Kumon is an investment we make for our children’s future.”

Second, partnership is needed for a successful Kumon journey. “They say it takes two to tango. In Kumon, it needs the teacher, student, parent, and worksheets,” Mrs. Gabriel adds. And so, it takes four to tango – in completing the Kumon Program.

News

August 30, 2019

Better than Average

Free Trial, Reading, The Kumon Method

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Kumon has taught me that success really takes time and effort. If I really want to achieve something, I have to exert effort constantly until I reach it. Success doesn’t come overnight, but it will come at the right time, with patience and determination.

Ysabelle Pangilinan identifies herself as an average student – neither the most intelligent person in class, nor the achiever. This is the main reason why her parents decided to enroll her and her siblings in Kumon. Her parents found out about the Kumon Method from common friends and heard countless testimonials about how it has helped developed the habits of their children.

“After participating in the Free Trial and seeing how the program can help my siblings and I, my parents realized that we had so much potential that can be unleashed if we enroll in the program. So they decided to do just that – enroll us in the Reading Program first then in the Math Program after a few months.”

Armed with a degree in Industrial Pharmacy and with plans to pursue medicine, Ysa can attest that, indeed, Kumon has pursued her potential, ignited her passion for reading and learning, and pushed her one step closer to success.

Managing Time and Expectations

Making time for Kumon while juggling academics and extra-curricular activities in high school wasn’t easy. There were times when Ysa would arrive home and want to spend the energy she has left on homework and projects; but after quite some time, she got the hang of it.

“Luckily, I wasn’t the only one doing Kumon in school, so there were times during breaks when we’d group together and answer our worksheets at the same time. I also got through with the help of my Kumon teachers, who kept on making adjustments with my workload whenever they feel I’m overwhelmed with my schedule.”

More than finishing the program, Ysa realizes now that her ultimate goal was to make her parents and teachers proud of her. She learned that nothing would make them prouder than seeing her finally take and finish her Completion Test.

“As the eldest, there was a lot of pressure on me to complete. When my parents told me that I should be a role model to my siblings, I took this to heart. I even saw it happen when my sister completed the program after I completed it – I saw my reflection in her. Our youngest two siblings are still enrolled in Kumon so I always remind them of the benefits of the method and the investment we have made.”

Developing Skills and Values

Kumon has become a part of Ysa’s life that she would never forget. Kumon has taught her the value of three things:

Developing Skills and Values - Better than Average

Currently, Ysa is working as a regulatory pharmacist. This role requires her to ensure that all their products are safe, effective, and of quality for their patients. This entails reading and comprehending countless articles and legislations regarding pharmaceutical products, drafting letters, and communicating with all types of people in her field.

“The main part of my job is to communicate with the Food and Drug Administration with the licensing of our products and establishment. This I do with enjoyment since my reading, writing, and communication skills have been honed over the years.

Kumon made me realize that I am capable of achieving greater heights. Because of that, I dream bigger and push towards a better version of myself for my future. This is why I took the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) two years ago and plan on enrolling in medical school by this year.

Her advice for her fellow Kumon students?

Never. Give. Up.

“I may not be the first person to tell you this but this advice is applicable not only to your Kumon journey, but in life as well. There are things far more difficult than what you’re experiencing now, and I promise you that Kumon is only equipping you with the skills you need for the challenges ahead. Always remember that all the hard work, time, and effort you exert temporarily will be rewarded in the end.”