Why independent learning is key to your child’s long-term educational goals
One skill essential to children’s academic success is the ability to learn on their own. While teachers and parents play a key role in a child’s development, educational activities that encourage self-learning are equally important.
Learning independently inspires children to become more confident and nurtures critical thinking and analytical skills. Giving children time to learn on their own taps into their natural curiosity and allows them to explore new ideas in a way that more structured learning activities do not.
What exactly is self-learning?
At its core, self-learning is a method of learning that encourages students to study and learn without being taught directly. Through self-learning students develop a progressive ability to comprehend new information. In a traditional classroom setting, activities move along at a pace that usually caters to the class as a whole, rather than to each individual student.
Self-learning exercises allow students to think critically and move on to more challenging exercises at their own speeds. Students can then develop a more thorough understanding of a concept, while also gaining confidence in their abilities.
How Kumon math and reading programs can help
The Kumon Method of Learning aims to build students’ knowledge by igniting their desire to learn, while fostering analytical skills. Each student learns at his or her own pace, which removes the limits inherent in programs that focus on a specific test or goal.
The Kumon Method focuses on building self-learning skills like concentration and independence, which students can carry with them for the rest of their academic careers. Students work with instructors to identify their current level of learning, and develop a thorough understanding of each learning concept at their own pace – making it accessible to children of all academic levels.
Kumon students are given short, incremental assignments that help them apply knowledge gained from previous lessons on to the next one. The ultimate goal is for students to progressively build the knowledge and learning skills that will allow them to study above their grade levels.
Other ways to encourage self-learning
Self-learning isn’t tied to school-related activities only; children of any age are learning through life experiences every day. By promoting critical thinking through play activities, you can also do your part to help your child’s development.
Any activity that taps into your child’s innate aptitude to work through challenges independently can help support your child’s ability to self-learn. Craft projects and building projects are great vehicles for meeting your child’s need for creative thought and exploration.
With more than 50 years in the education industry, Kumon has identified the best ways to unlock your child’s learning potential. Visit www.kumon.com to learn more about the benefits of self-learning and how you can go beyond tutoring with Kumon.
