Client: Kumon Institute of Education

“Half a century ago, half a world away, a father determined to help his son do better in school created what would become an enduring educational legacy.”

After successfully developing materials to help his second grade son who was struggling with math, Toru Kumon opened up the first center in his home in Japan in 1956. “For two years, this new approach to education was refined and formalized in his home. In 1958, the Kumon Institute of Education was established with the objective of helping students excel in math and gain a love for learning.” The first center in North America opened in New York in 1974.

“Only by empowering children to achieve through their own efforts will they gain the means and motivation to realize their full potential.”

The Kumon Method is designed to help children gradually develop fundamental math and reading skills and help students increase confidence, improve concentration and develop better study skills through daily practice and mastery of the materials. Students complete short daily assignments to build

solid study habits and maintain their skills. They must fully master each concept within the timed and graded criteria before progressing to the next level. “Each new concept builds on the foundation established by the previous one, and new exercises constantly review and strengthen the previously learned skills.” The assignments are done on a “learn-by doing’ theory that is intended to motivate students to become independent learners. “The Kumon instructor provides guidance, praise and assistance when needed, however, Kumon encourages students to think for themselves. The goal of the program is to develop a student’s confidence so that they will first try to solve a program on their own before asking for help”

The Kumon Institute of Education has continued growing since first opening in 1958. There are now more than 26,000 Kumon offices in 44 countries around the world with approximately 4 million students. “The ability of the Kumon Method to transcend cultures and languages is a testament to its power and promise as an educational program. A truly universal learning system, it has enabled children from one culture and generation to the next to perform, even excel, often beyond expectations.

Murals Your Way has been happy to be a part of the Kumon centers for the past 3-4 years, featuring custom murals in their offices. Their personalized design of a world map showcases the different countries with Kumon centers and the faces of their students from around the world. Murals Your Way is honored to feature their murals in such a wonderful institute that is dedicated to helping children fulfill their hidden potential and make the world a better place for all of us.

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