Practice makes proficient.
As with learning to play the piano or hit a baseball, gaining proficiency with learning skills requires frequent practice. A piano student doesn’t begin to play compositions until simple scales have been mastered. In much the same way, he or she shouldn’t tackle words until letters and letter combinations are mastered, or take on multiplication of two-digit numbers until achieving a total command of the operation with single digits.
You may be concerned that your child’s Kumon Instructor continues to assign the same type of exercises when you and your child are eager to press on. You’re not alone. Many parents and students question at one point or another the repetitive nature of Kumon worksheets.
The reasoning behind repetition.
Doing anything well takes practice, and acquiring skills often means performing the same tasks again and again. Repetition is a natural part of the mastery process and Kumon worksheets prompt children to apply each concept in turn until it has been fully grasped. Kumon enables each child to work with material at every stage until he or she is ready – really ready – to take the next step.
Repetition, Reinforcement, and Retention.
Applying skills repeatedly is precisely what reinforces them and ensures that they’re permanently retained. It may seem like overkill, but until your child can move through assigned material quickly and accurately, advancement is premature. Only when skills can be effortlessly drawn upon by the student is the way truly paved for success at higher levels.
There’s light at the end of the tunnel.
Rest assured that the Kumon Method has been systematically developed and carefully worked out to produce results. The decision made by your child’s instructor to repeat material before advancing is based on a careful evaluation of his or her individual performance. Such repetition is one kep aspect of the Kumon program that facilitates your child’s progress toward becoming a better learner. That’s what Kumon is all about.