Junior Kumon is a program for preschoolers and kindergarteners designed to instill a desire to learn and to help prepare them for their first academic challenges in math and reading.  Children work closely with a Kumon Assistant at the center, and with a parent at home.  Our individualized and interactive method gives Junior Kumon students a leg up to becoming avid learners and successful students.

There is a success story in every child.

How often do we admire the accomplishments of world-class violinists, professional athletes, Olympic gymnasts, even linguists fluent in many languages, and think, "If only I'd started while I was young"?

The seeds for success are indeed sown early in life.

As parents, we want to inspire our chidren to explore new things and reach beyond what's directly in front of them.  Academic success begins the transformation of goals set into goals met and forges the confidence that comes with learning.

Junior Kumon's unique method is at the heart of its mission:  through the use of skill-appropriate worksheets and supplemental tools, learning becomes exciting for young children.  As a result, they quickly develop the will and desire to learn on their own.

In the age-appropriate, child-friendly environment of our Center, a child's innate desire to learn new things is easily harnessed.

In partnership with their Instructors and parents, students master pre-reading and numeracy skills that build the foundation for lifelong learning.  They discover confidence and self-esteem and learn to take pride in their achievements.  Additionally, comfort within a learning environment provides excellent preparation for school.

The strong foundation acquired in Junior Kumon is further reinforced with continued Kumon study throughout later school years.

There is no better foundation for learning.

Junior Kumon is carefully designed as an interactive, individualized program to fully engage young students and allow them to explore concepts at their own pace.

At the core of our program is a system that has proven effective for 50 years - the Kumon worksheets.  Our worksheets are specifically designed to help children develop the confidence required for independent learning.

When children learn in incremental steps, success comes at every level, enabling children to build a strong foundation and secure their footing, before advancing further.

Junior Kumon Instructors gently guide your child step by step, helping them advance into new concepts after mastering previous ones.

Because children progress at their own individual pace, it is important to practice patience.  The goal is not to learn quickly, but to learn well.

Math and Reading worksheets are supplemented with other Junior Kumon tools designed to make learning active and fun while teaching basic skills.

The ABCs of Junior Kumon:

A: Interaction

Junior Kumon is a fully interactive program.  A trained Kumon Assistant works closely and patiently with Junior Kumon students, providing attention, positive reinforcement, and instruction at each session.  Consistent and positive interaction at the Center and at home is crucial at this stage of learning.

B: Individualization

The Junior Kumon curriculum is individualized for each student.  Reading aloud to children, counting with them, and using tools like worksheets, flashcards, books, alphabet and number boards form the basis of the Junior Kumon curriculum.  Each child progresses through these materials at his or her own pace.

C: Introduction

Junior Kumon introduces children to basic skills required to learn math and reading.  It takes time and repetition to develop these prereading and numeracy skills.  At this input stage of learning, students may not be able to demonstrate to you what they know upon command.  Parents should be patient and understanding.

Junior Kumon Fosters:

• A desire and motivation to learn
• Acquisition of pre-literacy and numeracy skills
• Comfort in a learning environment
• Preparedness for school
• A positive attitude towards learning
• Confidence and self-esteem

Pre-reading Skills in the Junior Kumon Program:

• Connecting spoken words with written words
• Hearing the different sounds in language through rhyming activities
• Learning the shapes and sounds of letters
• Learning the basics of phonics, including consonant and vowel blends and more challenging sounds
• Developing a love of books and stories through daily reading

Numeracy Skills in the Junior Kumon Program:

• Counting numbers to 200
• Recognizing numbers in and out of sequence
• Recognizing the correlation between patterns of dots and written numbers (pre-addition)
• Writing numbers correctly

What's My Role in Junior Kumon?

Parents can make the critical difference.  In addition to bringing children to the Center once (or twice) weekly for 15-30 minute sessions, your work with them at home is a key component of the program.  This includes reading to and/or counting with your child daily, as well as using the additional Kumon tools provided, to establish a learning routine.  This interaction allows parents to be actively engaged in their child's learning and encourage progress.  The time and commitment devoted to working together at home helps the child understand the importance of routine when learning.  Remember to be positive and persevere.  Make a point of providing feedback about his or her daily progress to your child's Instructor on a regular basis.

When Should My Child Start Junior Kumon?

Children as young as three years old can attend Junior Kumon, but students are typically four or five years of age.  The best time to start depends upon the individual child.  Our Kumon Instructor will help you make that assessment.

Article:  Prereading Skills and The Kumon Reading Program