Preparing Early Learners for Preschool and Beyond

The Kumon Method Provides an Individualized Approach to Learning

Teaneck, N.J. (January 28, 2015) – Throughout the country, children as young as three years old are experiencing the joy of “aha!” moments and an “I can do it!” spirit as they develop their abilities in Kumon, the world’s largest after-school math and reading program. From counting pictures and repeating words to practicing pencil skills and more, thousands of early learners enrolled in Kumon are developing a love of learning and a solid academic foundation. The early levels of the Kumon Program now provide even greater flexibility with the practice of pencil skills, depending on each child’s specific need.

“Like taking first steps, using a pencil for the first time can be a challenge for early learners. In the Pencil Skills level, our exercises compliment the math and reading material in our early levels. Through the practice of scribbling and drawing lines, curves, and angles, early learners in Kumon develop pencil skills in a fun, colorful, and engaging way,” says Dominique Ciccarelli, education spokesperson at Kumon North America.”

Proper grip and pressure are key components in learning how to write with a pencil. Writing continues to play an important role in the brain development of children, despite advances in technology that simply call for a touch of a button or screen. According to research conducted by Indiana University, preliterate preschoolers who practiced writing exhibited a level of brain activation similar to adults.

“Kumon establishes a strong foundation, which helps foster curiosity and excitement towards learning that will help early learners soar once they begin school,” says Ciccarelli.

The following chart shows Kumon’s step-by-step approach, where each level builds upon the skills previously developed. The Pencil Skills level is an available writing supplement to either the Kumon Math or Reading Program.

Kumon Introductory Levels
Math	Reading
Level 6A: Students begin developing number recognition and number sequencing. They become familiar with numbers up to 10 through counting colorful pictures or dots and reading numbers.	Level 7A: Students begin building the pre-reading skills necessary to becoming emergent readers. Students connect words to familiar objects by pointing to and repeating words after hearing them read aloud.
Level 5A: Students read numbers and number tables up to 50. Students count pictures or dots, draw lines to connect numbers, and select the missing number board piece by drawing circles to complete the number table.	Level 6A: Students solidify 7A vocabulary, acquire new vocabulary, and continue to build foundational pre-reading skills such as phonemic awareness. Using picture cues, students point to and recite rhyming words, rhyming phrases, and rhyming poems.
Level Z Pencil Skills
Young students are introduced to holding and using pencils or crayons in a fun way. Similar to the math and reading worksheets, the expectations of writing increase incrementally. Through the practice of scribbling and drawing lines, curves and angles, early learners develop pencil skills and engage with the worksheets.

About Kumon Math & Reading Centers:

Kumon is an after-school math and reading enrichment program that unlocks the potential of children, so they can achieve more on their own. As a comprehensive program, Kumon serves children in preschool through high school. Founded in Japan in 1958, the learning method uses an individualized approach that helps children develop a solid command of math and reading skills. This unique learning method covers material as advanced as calculus in math and literary critique in reading. Through daily practice and mastery of materials, students increase confidence, improve concentration, and develop better study skills. Kumon has 26,000 centers in 48 countries and more than four million students studying worldwide. The company’s North American headquarters is located in Teaneck, N.J. Visit www.kumon.com to learn more.