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, nurturing critical thinking and analytical skills. Giving children time to learn on their own taps into their natural curiosity and allows them to explore in a way that more structured learning activities do not.
In a traditional classroom setting, activities move along at a pace that usually caters to the whole class, rather than to each individual student. An additional academic program that gives students the power to explore new concepts on their own, at their own pace, allows students to think critically and move on to more difficult exercises at their own speed. Ultimately, students progressively build knowledge and learning abilities that allow them to study above their grade level.
Research shows the many benefits of studying above grade level. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students reading above grade level in the third grade are more likely to graduate from high school at higher rates and students who take advanced math courses are more likely to attend and graduate from college.
– Kumon is an educational company that uses an individualized approach that helps children develop math and reading skills. There are 16 Kumon Math and Reading Centers in Westchester County. Visit kumon.com to find the nearest center.
