Toru Kumon
Toru Kumon | |
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![]() A well-known picture of Toru Kumon that is usually displayed at Kumon learning centers | |
Pronunciation | Kumon Tōru |
Born | March 26, 1914 |
Died | July 25, 1995 (aged 81) |
Alma mater | Osaka University |
Occupation(s) | educator, founder of Kumon |
Known for | creating the Kumon Method of Learning |
Toru Kumon (
As a result of Takeshi's progress, other parents became interested in Kumon's ideas, and in 1955, the first Kumon Center was opened in Osaka, Japan.[2] In 1958, Toru Kumon founded the Kumon Institute of Education, which set the standards for the Kumon Centers that began to open around the world.[1]
The Kumon Programs are designed to strengthen a student's fundamental maths and language skills by studying worksheets tailored to a student's ability. The method also aims for students to learn independently and to study advanced material beyond their school grade level.
Students progress once they demonstrate mastery of a topic. Kumon defined mastery as being able to achieve an excellent score on the material in a given time. Kumon strongly emphasised the concepts of time and accuracy.[citation needed]
Even in his later years, Toru Kumon gave lectures on his method of learning including the importance of having students learn material that is suited to their ability and not their age and the benefits of allowing students to learn material well ahead of their grade level.
Toru Kumon died in Osaka on July 25, 1995, at the age of 81 from pneumonia.[3] There is a Toru Kumon museum in Osaka, Japan, and a Kumon Foundation Day celebrated on October 20 each year. Asteroid 3569 Kumon is named after him.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "The Birth of Kumon: The Story of Toru Kumon". Kumon Group. Retrieved 2014-08-13.
- ^ "Kumon's History | ABOUT KUMON | Kumon Institute of Education". www.kumongroup.com. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
- ^ Thomas, Jr., Robert Mcg. (1995-07-27). "Toru Kumon, Innovator, 81, In Math Studies". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-07-05.
- ^ Schmadel, Lutz (2003), Dictionary of Minor Planet Names, Volume 1, Springer Science & Business Media, p. 300, ISBN 9783540002383.