Oaklee's Guide: Suburban Chicago's Family Resource Guide

Kumon – Math. Reading. Success

Extra practice now can help your child prepare for a lifetime of test taking.

At some point in life, every student in this country will have to take an exam. From their first standardized test to the SAT, GRE, MCAT or State Bar Exam, students will inevitably encounter test-taking situations. Parents looking for resources to help their children conquer exams with ease can get help from programs like Kumon.

The principles of the Kumon Method can help students develop time-management, discipline and problem-solving skills that will prepare them for a lifetime of testing. Standardized tests assess knowledge and critical thinking skills over a variety of topics. The best way to determine mastery of a subject is to calculate the number of correct answers a person provides within a given period of time. Under any test-taking conditions, time and accuracy are important factors for an individual to consider. Students who follow directions, avoid careless mistakes and utilize their time effectively will feel more comfortable during an exam. Kumon students’ daily work is timed, which prepares and familiarizes them with test-taking conditions.

Students also learn valuable test-taking strategies, such as checking their answers and answering questions they know before spending too much time focusing on concepts that may pose more difficulty. Kumon offers math and reading instruction and develops students’ critical thinking skills, providing them with a solid academic foundation to master concepts at their own pace. Easing Testing Anxiety for Success Parents play an important role in helping their children ease anxiety before exams by providing support, encouragement and a positive learning environment. Kumon’s education experts recommend the following tips to help students prepare for test day:

• Set a daily study time. Routine teaches children to be organized which will reduce the level of stress. Provide your child with a study area that is quiet, free of distractions and well lit.

• Praise improvement, not only perfection.

• Teach your children how to manage stress. Let your children know that during an exam it is okay to take a moment to put down their pencils and take a deep breath.

• To encourage positive results on a test, reinforce the “focus on what you know rather than what you don’t know” philosophy.

• Encourage your children to read and follow all directions. Students should listen to and read instructions for all s chool assignments to become accustomed to doing so during important exams.

• Help your children with managing their time—remind them not to spend too much time on one problem. At home, if they can’t figure out a problem, encourage them to go to school early and speak with their teacher. Guide them to find solutions, rather than immediately providing them with the answers.

• Make sure your children have strong fundamental skills. Lacking a basic foundation creates academic gaps, causes additional stress and hinders students’ ability to learn. If you would like to learn more about how Kumon can help prepare your child for academic success, please contact a Kumon Center near you to schedule a free placement test. Visit www.kumon.com for more information.