WHILE MY FELLOW classmates grappled with mathematical concepts seemingly too abstract, I knew how to solve them intuitively and effortlessly, thanks to attending Kumon during my childhood.
My mother sent me to Kumon Math in Toronto, Canada, when I was four years old because she did not want me to be afraid of mathematics when I began school. Kumon's unique method of teaching and its emphasis on encouragement helped me to excel in mathematics. The course continued until I was 12.
Kumon's teaching method relies heavily on the repetition of exercises. The point of this is to familiarise oneself with a plethora of solving techniques. My earliest memories of Kumon are filled with stickers, stars and sweets for doing well in my homework, class assignments and exams.
Encouragement also came in the form of rankings of the top 100 students in the region for each grade, and awards for those in the top 10th percentile. The rankings were based on your progress in the Kumon levels relative to other students in the same grade. Receiving awards and seeing my name on those ranking lists motivated me to continue to do well.
Soon after I started, I surpassed the level of Kumon that was appropriate for my age and grade. I advanced through the levels of Kumon, from A to I, very quickly. In elementary and middle school, I often felt I had a much stronger grasp and understanding of mathematical concepts than my classmates. Because of Kumon, I was able solve a particular problem very quickly.
It made me feel more confident and independent than most people my age.