Born to learn…Kumon style

It may seem obvious that children learn in school yet according to online article, howchildrenlearn.homestead.com/, babies are born knowing more than you may think.

We are born to learn- nine months of hearing voices, music, emotions and movements add up to us being born knowing familiarity.  Each day we learn something new or at least make the attempt.  Children are constantly exposed to learning and absorbing new environments, surroundings, noises and familiar faces.  How do we as parents encourage the love of learning without the added pressure of being the best?

The simple fact of promoting learning is an A+ for parents.  Knowing how your children learn and respond to new things and every day experiences, helps to build a solid foundation for expanding their minds and intellectual capacity.

We as parents have the greatest power to make the largest impact in our children’s lives.  Do you remember the saying, “Money doesn’t buy everything?”  It doesn’t ring more truth than raising children.  As parents we want to provide the best for our children; home, transportation, health care, education, food and clothing.  However, despite how well cared for your children may be, without parental involvement in the encouragement of learning, everything just falls short.

So how do we go about improving and promoting learning to make it fun and effective?  Be proud of the tiny milestones that may seem small to adults but to children they are enormous.  For example, tying shoes, zipping up a coat, putting toys away, getting dressed, writing, speaking, cleaning are all important milestones that deserve a "wow"!

With crazy schedules and hectic careers it is so easy to come home from work and shut off our ears.  Listening is the most powerful tool in learning about our children and finding opportunities to guide and teach. 

What have you learned, shared and taught your children today?

To encourage learning visit our Kumon Learning Center at http://www.kumon.com/west-worcester

To Kumon or Not to Kumon?

With soccer practice, dance recitals, school plays and play dates it seem that there is just not enough time to devote to a learning center.  Children are so busy that when the school bell rings for dismissal they have forgotten homework and are off to the next adventure.

Just with any sport, in order to get better we must practice- this is true for school work.  To improve not only your child’s grades but class participation, enthusiasm and most importantly confidence, Kumon should be at the top of the extracurricular activities list.  It is not a matter of becoming smarter and faster but for your child to learn how to learn.  This is the most valuable lesson through their life.

After school, sports and other activities children must sit down, focus and complete homework based on what they have learned.  With the over stimulation of finally being home, dinner being prepared, the news broadcasting on the television and siblings conversing, it is no surprise that focus is much easier said than done.  At Kumon children enter the center, sit down and work.  The environment encourages critical thinking with help and guidance right by their side ready to assist in their learning. 

With the rising costs of education and the increased pressure to do it all, it is so important to prepare our children with the tools necessary to succeed, not just in elementary or high school but college and beyond.

Practice, Practice, Practice and you will achieve success.

What have you focused on today?

To learn more about the many benefits of Kumon Learning Center

Visit www.kumon.com/west-worcester

Awarding the $2,000 Scholarship

If your children are like many, then the excitement of holidays and snow days seem to consume their minds more than the algebra they are learning or the required reading assignments.  A child’s mere thought of a tutor many times is filled with the vision of more homework and school.  This deceiving connotation makes it difficult for parents to encourage children to engage and learn with a tutor.  However, what children do not know is that Kumon Learning Centers actually thrive off of creating a warm and friendly learning environment that encourages focus and desire to participate. 

In November Kumon is awarding the $2000 Kumon Scholarship.  Just visit a participating Kumon center during the month of October and enter your child in the sweepstakes for a chance to win!  When you visit a participating Kumon Center you are able to fill out the sweepstakes form and submit it for a chance to be awarded the scholarship.

Unlike tutoring, Kumon’s programs provide students the tools, techniques and community that help to motivate them to become independent learners.  Your child will utilize the skills learned through Kumon throughout their education, providing the courage and confidence needed to raise their hand, submit an essay with pride and solve difficult math problems.

To see real success stories visit http://www.kumon.com/  or visit Kumon of West Worcester at http://www.kumon.com/west-worcester

What story will your child write?

Must Check out Event for Parents!

Just found an amazing event in Worcester this Sunday, October 16!  Kumon Learning Center of West Worcester is hosting an open house from 2pm-5pm.  It is going to be perfect for parents who want to build their children’s educational confidence and enrich their child’s learning.

Our children dream of what they want to be when they grow older, where they want to live and the places they will go.  The fear of getting the answer wrong, failing a pop quiz and the disappointment of not passing an entrance exam are all memories that influence and impact our children.

Enroll your child in a fun, interactive and supportive learning environment that encourages them to be unique and embraces each different learning style.  Make sure you visit the open house to be entered into the Kumon Scholarship Sweepstakes, for a chance to win $2,000 towards knowing instead of guessing!

The “Kumon Scholarship Sweepstakes” is taking place throughout the month of October and winners will be announced in November. Twelve students in the Northeast Region will be awarded $2,000 scholarships to be used toward Kumon Tuition. The contest is open to anyone and I encourage you to share the information on your blog to let other parents in the area know about the opportunity.

See you fellow parents at 2pm at 6 Park Avenue, Worcester MA this Sunday, October 16, 2011.

Is your child bored at school?

There are 365 days per year, but our children are in school only 180 days.  What happens with the other 185 days?  Between play dates, sporting events, team celebrations, holidays, vacations and birthdays, what are our children really using, applying and retaining from only 180 learning days?

It is no wonder that our children stress over the first day of school, pop quizzes, standardized tests, entrance exams and being called on in class.  Of course summer vacation reading will help alleviate the summer slide of learning, but do you blame them for not remembering what 2,356,345,235.24 divided by 2, really is? Or even what the answer to  .  To many adults this is a foreign language, but to high schoolers it is just another day in math class.

This year we as parents need to take the initiative and build our children’s educational confidence.  This Sunday, October 16, Kumon Learning Center of West Worcester is hosting an open house event from 2pm-5pm. 

Our children will finally be able to raise their hand with an answer instead of a guess, will feel proud when their name is placed on the board and will get a stress free night’s sleep before the big exam!  Take a stand this Sunday, October 16, and make the other 185 days count!

Find out more information at http://www.kumon.com/west-worcester 508-754-5459