Integration of the Kumon Method into the Educational Process

Kazakhstan's educational system, oriented toward international standards, is adopting successful experience in applying effective tools for developing students' functional literacy. One of the innovative solutions in this direction was the introduction of the Japanese Kumon method at General Education School No. 109 in the city of Astana. Since August of this year, systematic work has been deployed at the institution, including theoretical and practical seminars for teachers and a large-scale awareness campaign among parents. To date, practical classes using elements of Kumon are included in the daily learning activities of schoolchildren.

Many families face the problem when preschoolers and younger schoolchildren perform tasks insufficiently confidently without the help of an adult, experience difficulties in sustaining attention and quickly lose interest when encountering difficulties. This is what happened to Toru Kumon, a Japanese mathematics teacher. Toru Kumon seriously took up teaching children mathematics after he noticed that his son Takeshi constantly brought home poor grades in this subject and had difficulty coping with assignments. The father began to compose simple tasks on separate sheets of paper that the child had to solve on his own.

The main goal of the initial stage was to give his son confidence in his own abilities and to motivate him not to give up when the material became more complex. Toru smoothly and gradually increased the workload. As a result, his son learned, without unnecessary stress and very quickly, to crack even the most intricate mathematical calculations.

The success of this home-grown method attracted the attention of other parents, and already in 1956 the first specialized development center for children, which adopted Kumon's approach, appeared in Osaka. Another two years later, in 1958, the teacher opened his own Institute of Education, which continues to operate successfully today.

The Kumon method is an international program that allows the learner to work at an individual pace and to develop. It is distinguished by the fact that, through small steps, it moves from simple to complex, offering tasks that correspond to the level of each child. The learner daily completes a certain amount of assignments, thereby constantly improving his knowledge.

The Kumon method is especially relevant in modern conditions, when children need not only to absorb knowledge but also to develop independence, the ability to concentrate and the habit of regular learning. They say Japanese children crack examples faster than a calculator and do it with a smile. And what if the same system were introduced in an ordinary Astana school?

THE KUMON METHODOLOGY

The individualized Kumon methodology involves gradual movement through the completion of small steps. In introducing it, we focus on improving students' mathematical literacy, automating their computational skills and accelerating information processing.

The program is adapted to the actual level of preparation of each student, offering tasks that correspond to the zone of his or her proximal development.

Among the methodological advantages of the program, it is worth highlighting its high variability and adaptability to the individual characteristics of the child. In addition, it helps to form self-organization skills, instills a responsible attitude toward learning, and also develops stability of attention and accuracy when performing routine operations.

Daily completion of a strictly dosed volume of exercises forms in the child a stable habit of systematic work and constant self-improvement.

During the academic year, regular classes were conducted with students aimed at practicing arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) to the level of automaticity, improving mental arithmetic skills and logical thinking.

Pedagogical control includes a daily assessment of the completed stages and recording of each student's individual progress.

To maintain high motivation, a rating system has been introduced: leaders are identified weekly and rewarded with personalized diplomas, which contributes to the formation of healthy academic competitiveness.

The practice of applying elements of the Kumon system demonstrates stable positive dynamics. Schoolchildren have significantly increased the speed of solving standard computational tasks. Concentration of attention and independence in completing assignments have increased. Cognitive activity in lessons has grown and the emotional perception of mathematics has improved. Indicators of the quality of knowledge have increased based on the results of quarterly and control assessments.

The data obtained indicate that regular training of basic skills according to the Kumon system creates a solid foundation for further study of complex mathematical concepts, and also has a positive effect on the overall development of students' cognitive sphere. The Kumon method helps to form confidence in one's own abilities, develop perseverance, self-discipline and stable learning motivation. The program contributes to the development of basic skills in reading, writing, counting, logical thinking and fine motor skills, creating a solid foundation for successful learning at school. Regular classes reduce anxiety before new tasks and teach the child to find solutions independently and to see things through to the end.

Practical results of the work using the Kumon method by teacher Zhanar Dzhumayeva:

"Thanks to daily short classes, my students not only master complex topics but also gain confidence in their abilities. The well-thought-out structure of the assignments allows each child to move at his own pace, eliminating the fear of making a mistake. This methodology influences the improvement of the quality of knowledge.

Quantitative growth indicators:

Speed of calculations.

Reduction of time for performing standard arithmetic operations by 30–50%.

Reduction in the number of errors due to automation of the skill.

Qualitative changes in learning:

Bringing basic operations to automaticity (addition, subtraction, multiplication, fractions).

Development of self-learning skills.

Differentiated approach:

Strong students move ahead while maintaining interest in the subject.

Students with special educational needs or gaps in knowledge return to their comfort point, which eliminates fear of the subject and gradually levels out their results.

Psychological aspect and motivation:

Daily completion of feasible tasks forms confidence in one's abilities. The student stops being afraid of tests. Regularity (even 10–15 minutes a day) accustoms one to systematic work, which has a positive effect on the study of all school subjects.

Increased academic performance:

	1 academic quarter	2 academic quarter	3 academic quarter
Percentage of the quality of knowledge	66,67	72,22	88,89
Average score in the subject	3,89	4	4,33

"As a teacher, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the KUMON project for creating a unique learning system that has become an indispensable assistant in my practice. Thank you for the quality tools that make the learning process effective and inspiring!"

The introduction of the international Kumon method into the educational space of Kazakhstani schools is a promising initiative that meets the demands of the times. The systematic approach embedded in this program not only improves academic performance but also cultivates in children such important qualities as purposefulness, perseverance and confidence in their own abilities. Further use of this experience will make it possible to maximally unlock the individual potential of each child and to prepare a competitive personality in the conditions of today's globalized world.

Zhanar YERMUKHAMBETOVA,

Makpal ZHENISOVA,

Zhanar DZHUMAYEVA,

General Education School No. 109, Astana

Редактор Татьяна Баканова

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АННОТАЦИЯ

Мақалада Астана қаласының № 109 орта мектебі негізінде жапондық Кумон білім беру әдістемесін енгізудің алғашқы қазақстандық тәжірибесі ұсынылған. Бағдарламаның тұжырымдамалық негіздері ашылып, автор оның артықшылықтары туралы баяндайды, оқушылармен жұмысты ұйымдастыруды, педагогикалық мониторинг жүйесін және мектеп оқушыларын ынталандыру тәсілдерін сипаттайды. Материал баланың әлеуетін дамытудың тиімді жолдарын іздейтін педагогтерге, әдіскерлерге, мектеп басшыларына және ата-аналарға арналған.