From then until now, it is still a fact that a lot of people often say that being good at math equates to a lot of opportunities. If you remember how your classmates were achievers because they are considered as “math wizards,” you have probably experienced being pushed by your parents to be as good as them. You may not have understood what the advantages were back then when you were a child; but now as a parent yourself, you often say the same thing to your child these days.
What is it that a child gains from being good with numbers? Here are four basic benefits he can acquire:
Analytical skill and attitude
From solving problems of basic operations to problems with limits, your child learns to look at the problem in parts and as a whole. He learns to pay attention to every detail and assumption possible, and to break down one big complicated problem into a series of easier steps. He also develops the thinking of making sure that all results are accurate. This is a skill that your child will be able to apply in other subjects in school as well – like science and history.
Openness to challenges
Math problems are not easy – some seem difficult and impossible. With a high level of math ability and analytical skill, your child learns how to solve even the most challenging problems. He may also apply this skill to other types of challenges he may encounter in life. Your child develops self-confidence and endurance to overcome challenges until the end – no matter what they are and what the end result may be.
Work ethic
There is a go-getter type of mentality that your child develops. He knows what his responsibilities are and is particular in making being on time with deadlines. He does not make excuses for any shortcomings and he has a sense of accountability. Your child does not give up easily because he knows that every problem has a solution – and that he can get to it with effort and hard work.
Careers and opportunities
All college entrance tests put a big focus on math – with problems ranging from the most simple to the most complicated. Also, the most in demand careers require mastery and knowledge in math. All the above mentioned skills and attitude are highly valued by renowned companies. Analytical ability in math signals that your child is capable of analysis and deduction in other fields of study. Be it an engineer, architect, broker or lawyer – math and what math has to offer comes in handy.
One great piece of advice that all parents can attest to is that you should read to your children especially when they are young. This is often shared and emphasized in books, seminars, and through word of mouth. But when you agree and start to read to your children, are you familiar with the specific advantages they can gain? Do you know just what it is you are developing in them?
To give you a better idea of the power of reading, here are five benefits that highlight the importance of reading to young children.
Basic speech and reading skills. At the preschool age, your child is at his prime for learning. He is very eager to explore his surroundings and absorb information. He jumps at the thought of seeing what words look like, learning how to say them, and hearing what they sound like. Reading to your child allows him to mimic you and to learn from your example, specifically by letting him say the word right after you read it. It also gives him the chance to experience how to read a book – how the words are separate from the images and how to read from left to right.
Better communication skills. Stories and books, especially those suited for young children, are composed of numerous conversations and interactions between characters. By reading this and by regularly interacting with you during reading time, your child gets a better grasp of what happens when people communicate. He gets to expand his vocabulary which leads him to better express himself – be it through speaking or writing. Your child is also able to relate to more people since he is exposed to different topics and cultures through the varied stories he reads.
More logical thinking skills. Each book or reading material your child reads consists of a message that needs to be uncovered. With this, your child thinks and makes use of logic to figure out what is happening and to make sense of the message. He develops the ability to grasp abstract concepts, to discover patterns, and to recognize cause and effect. At a young age and with your help, your child can begin to relate scenarios in books to what is happening in the real world. Engaging him in conversations that relate to the book can also help.
Enhanced concentration and discipline. Reading requires your child to stay in one place and to devote time, effort, and focus on one activity for a period of time. With him being very energetic and playful at a young age, reading allows your child to develop concentration and discipline. He may squirm and be distracted at the start, but he will eventually learn to stay put – especially when he read books that interest him. Your child also develops longer attention span and better memory retention since he is engaged in an activity that simulates his brain.
Academic excellence. Studies suggest that exposing your child to reading at a young age gives him a higher aptitude for learning. More often than not, he will not only excel in reading and English, but also in history, math, and science. This is because the ability to read and comprehend is a basic skill that is used in all subjects. Your child will need to comprehend a math problem before thinking of how to solve it. He will also need to read through what happened in history to understand its effect at present.
Indeed, reading has the power to benefit young children in a number of ways. As parents, reading to your child is one of the most important things you can do to build a solid and good foundation for his journey to academic excellence and success.
Actions speak louder than words. But according to child psychologists, children—especially the younger ones—need great doses of verbal praise to be reminded that they are appreciated and loved.
Praising our children shows that we are pleased with their efforts, not just their accomplishments. As we affirm them for their good work, we let them feel a sense of pride, joy, and confidence. Sincere praise from parents reinforce good behavior because they encourage children to keep doing their best.
In Kumon, we recognize the power of praise, and as with any form of power, we would like to harness this one with care.
There is an art to giving praise. Although praises empower children, insincere compliments do the opposite. We don’t want to mislead children with empty and vague compliments. Here, then, are some tips on how we can go beyond ‘Very Good!’ and ‘Excellent!’
Be specific with your praise. ‘Good boy!’ or ‘That’s nice!’ are non-descriptive praise and are therefore ineffective. Such words do not describe the child’s behavior or the action done. Why are we commending him? Are we happy because he didn’t leave his toys after playing or because he shared his toys with his siblings? Give specific praise such as, “That was very thoughtful of you to share your sandwich with your sister.”
Give appropriate praise. It is important to praise him for his behavior as it occurs and when the behavior is appropriate. An excellent artwork on his uniform, for example, should not be commended no matter how well he drew it because doing so encourages the child’s inappropriate behavior
Be enthusiastic. If we look stern or bored when offering praise, the child may not be happy and convinced about it. The secret to effective praising is doing it with eye contact, sincere smile, and genuine, specific remarks.
Avoid the ‘sting in the tail.’ This refers to praise that ends with criticism which wipes up the initial positive comments. Try not to say, “Good job for cleaning your play area – sadly you don’t do it every day.” Don’t give positive and negative remarks simultaneously.
The next time we see our child doing something remarkably good, go ahead, and shower him with the right praise. Such appreciation will develop his confidence – confidence that will surely make him shine.
By: Mrs. Melissa Villanueva, Mother of Zelina, Pauline, Mary of Kumon Mabini (Tagum) Center
1. Know your kids’ needs and create a plan to work on it.
Mrs. Villanueva has always dreamt of having children who are good in math because it was one of her frustrations as a child. Since she and her husband wanted their kids to face math with confidence, they wanted them to explore and love the subject at a very young age. “So, six years ago, we started to research on parenting advice related to our dream and we came across Kumon. We also asked relatives and friends who had experienced the program.”
They were also able to come across Teacher Jane Doce, who happens to be their friend and the Instructor of Kumon Mabini (Tagum) Center. “We saw this opportunity as God’s will because everything came into places at the right time.”
Mrs. Villanueva’s children were pioneer students in the Center. “My children are very enthusiastic to learn and discover new things. From orientation up to their first day in Kumon, I found them very happy and they said it was everyday fun.”
2. Listen to your kids, especially during tough times.
“It was a tough journey for my children.”
As Mrs. Villanueva’s kids grew older, their concentration and time management skills changed as there were more demands in school activities plus daily commitment with Kumon.
“I have always been thankful to the Lord for His guidance to my children. Even though it was a very challenging journey for them, they learned the importance of the right balance between study and fun and the ability to focus. They learned to work productively and consistently, to follow the system diligently, and to embrace the challenges completely – all important factors in achieving success academically, emotionally and mentally.”
3. Be their best and no. 1 cheerleader.
“Never give up. Aim high. Dream more.” These are the phrases Mrs. Villanueva always hear from her children. These are the same magic words she would like to share to all parents out there as well.
“Work as a team. Work with your children and always make them feel that you are with them in their journey. Provide a praise and reward system to keep them motivated during challenging moments and when they start to think of quitting. Never stop reminding them of their commitment to succeed.”
“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic, it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” This is the quote Mrs. Villanueva uses to empower her children to do more, learn more and aim more – to become an achiever.
4. Acknowledge help; we have extended arms.
Mrs. Villanueva owes her thanks to Kumon for creating a big impact to their family – from the test of patience to the love of teaching and learning.
“Despite our busy schedules, my husband and I made time to assist and guide our children during homework time. We developed a stronger family relationship as well as everyone else in the family got involved. This is just one of the ways on how we support them in their dreams and we are happy that we can also feel the success they aim for each day!”
The answer is, yes! Math is present everywhere – in nature, in technology, in money, and many more. It is more than just solving problems or critical thinking, but it’s also there to prepare us in facing challenging problems in the future.
Here are some aspects in which you can see the outright use and presence of math:
1. In Daily Activities
Let’s say you want to bake cupcakes and consult a recipe book for that matter. The first thing you’ll notice is that every ingredient must be measured accordingly to what is written on the recipe book in order to bake the cupcakes correctly. Whether you need 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of sugar, and a dash of salt, you can see math working its way in letting you create the best recipe!
2. In Games and Puzzles
There are many board games and mind puzzles that require mathematics and logic. For instance, solving a Sudoku puzzle will require you to place numbers from 1 to 9 in a 3 x 3 box without repeating any number per row or column. Here, not only are you using your number knowledge, but you are also exercising your brain.
3. In Clocks and Calendars
Can you imagine life without clocks and calendars? Math played a huge role in the development of the modern way we tell the time and weather. Ages ago, people only relied on sundials and astronomy to predict the time and seasons. Now, we have an instant way to tell time, thanks to math!
4. In Nature
There is a famous sequence called the ‘Fibonacci Sequence’ where each number is derived from adding the previous two numbers. It is also said that its properties can be applied and found in natural patterns – in sunflowers, shells, cherry trees, and more. Isn’t it amazing to see how a structure is derived from a mathematical sequence?
Sometimes, we may not be aware that we’re already using math in our everyday lives. But math’s presence is everywhere, which is why we should continue to learn and appreciate it!
A go-getter and an active person by nature, Thyra Mae Navarro felt nervous when her parents told her that she would be going to Kumon to develop her mathematical skills. What made her nervous was the thought that Kumon was difficult and that this was only intended for very young students.
Thyra’s initial encounter with Kumon was through the Free Trial Campaign. Her Kumon journey started with the Level A (Addition and Subtraction I) worksheets and she found it very easy. ”I finished three levels so quickly in my first three or four weeks. I was really proud of myself because I was confident in answering my worksheets.”
In three months, she was already in Level G (Positive and Negative Numbers, Elementary Algebraic Expressions). Time passed and her worksheets became quite challenging especially when she reached Level J (Advanced Factorization and Quadratic Equations). “I got stuck in Level and I asked for guidance from my teacher in some parts of the worksheets that I couldn’t understand well. But I was still having fun in answering my worksheets and my Kumon journey is one experience I will never forget and regret.”
CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS
The first change Mr. Ronnie and Mrs. Joy Navarro, Thyra’s parents, noticed was her self-discipline. They observed how she manages her time well and she knows what she needs to do first especially during very stressful times.
The second change they noticed is her self-confidence – the way she speaks and the way she carries herself around people. It is also evident with how active she is in extra-curricular activities and how she loves to perform. “We always remind her to always put her feet on the ground – whatever happens and whatever people say, stay grounded.”
Third, she has also developed leadership skills. They have observed how all her classmates listen to and ask her; plus, she holds a position in most of her extra-curricular organizations like Girl Scout and dance.
Last, her study habits have really improved. Thyra’s parents have noticed how she now has a daily study activity and she is now used to it. She is able to multi-task, does not cram, and can finish all the tasks she sets for the day or the week.
As for Thyra herself, she believes that learning the value of discipline and patience are her best take-aways from Kumon.
“As a leader in school, I am tough when it comes to discipline, and I am able to endure under difficult circumstances that I face in school and in my daily life. As a student, I am patient when my classmates and friends ask me to explain and share my knowledge on topics they find confusing. I realized that there’s more beyond what my mind could conceive and that this is a journey I never regret to have taken.”
CHALLENGES AND SUPPORT
Yes, Thyra experienced a lot of difficulties and challenges. There were worksheets that she could not understand, especially in Level N (Arithmetic, Geometric and Various Sequences, Differential Calculus) which she deemed as the most difficult level for her. Also, there were schedule conflicts due to her school and extra-curricular activities.”
“I was very focused on my academics, I had math competitions to attend, plus I was an active member of Girl Scout and the dance club so it was hard for me to manage my time. There were times that I went to the Center later than usual or I had to just pick-up worksheets for a long period of time.”
Thyra’s parents never stopped supporting her in my Kumon journey. “Even though I encountered a lot of challenges and difficulties not only in Kumon but also in school, my parents taught me how to stay positive despite these difficulties and conflicts. My Kumon Instructor kept motivating me to complete the Math Program. She kept on telling me not to give up despite the times that I wanted to quit.”
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
When she is stressed or pressured, Thyra is the type who gets easily rattled. With this, her parents tell her to calm down, think what she needs to do first, organize her activities and then prioritize. They always remind her that if others can do it, why can’t she? The benefits that she will get from the program are priceless and will go beyond what she needs at present – these will help her have a better future. Also, they remind her of how everything in Kumon is a process – from developing better study habits to good time management skills.
“We, as parents, play a big role in our children’s future especially in helping them become what they want to become. So we must never stop motivating and encouraging them, and help bring out the best in them. If they suddenly think of quitting, remind them of what they can gain from the program and of their goal. Kumon is the best partner to achieve all these.”
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.
“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.”
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.”
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.”
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
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.
