I Improved my Concentration Ability in Kumon - Student Wang
Wang’s Profile
School Grade :
Secondary 3
Center :
YuanPingLu Education Center (Shanghai)
Subject :
Math: Completed in June, 2016 (equivalent to senior secondary school level)
I Improved my Concentration Ability in Kumon - Student Wang
The interview was set at the backstage of the Kumon Shanghai Advanced Student Honor Roll Ceremony. In the dressing room for drama actors, the mirrors on the wall reflect the shadow of Student Wang, which is a slightly thin but very powerful figure.
Learning Habit > Ability > Knowledge
Learning habit is one of the invisible but important “tools”, dominating the acquisition of knowledge by individuals. Children can self-learn through Kumon study; as time passes, they would develop a continuous and persistent learning habit. In this regard, Wang also has a profound experience. As he reviewed his years of study in Kumon, he believes that learning habit is the most important, followed by ability, and then knowledge itself. “Habit is very important. When I was at lower grade, I finished my homework before having the meal every day. Studying at the certain time with a certain amount at the just-right level are also my expectation on myself.”
Wang has been learning Kumon since Primary 2, he found that learning habit has been leading him to move forward, “Kumon goes along with my growth; gradually, my adaptability is enhanced as I grow older. I get used to self-learning.”
In “ability” aspect, Wang told us that he gained the “concentration ability” in Kumon.
“Many of my classmates talk during class, or look out of the windows. Even little noise can distract them, but I won’t. I can always stay focused in class. I think this is what I developed in Kumon.”
Having good “learning habit” and “ability”, we can acquire “knowledge” by ourselves in long run. Some children have just started learning Kumon for a while but their parents worry about why their children’s change is not obvious; in fact, this is the same concept. It needs step by step to develop a good learning habit, and then improve the academic skills, and the learning outcome will come gradually.
Calm Down and Progress steadily
Now, Wang’s academic grade at school is ranked first or second. Even so, he is not arrogant. Even during some spare times during the interview, he also took out his homework and began to do it.
“Whatever we do, we have to be patient.” Wang said in a low voice, “When I was a child, I was impatient. It was easy for me to lose patience when I learned Kumon at the beginning. However, as time goes by, I became calmer than before; I think it is related to my study in Kumon. I still remember when I self-learned about the mathematical problems relating geometry and algebra in Kumon, it was very hard to understand the correlations between point, line, and surface. I felt distressed and confused. However, my instructor did not give up on me, guided me over and over, comforted me and said, “You don’t have to hurry, and do not be impatient. Calm down first. It is all right even if you take a longer time to do this. You study and try to understand it slowly, and you will eventually learn it.”
Now, my academic grade should be quite good at school. When I was in Primary 6, I had to attend the Secondary School preparation class, and I even needed to board at school, so I had to stop learning Kumon. I was not quite used to it. Therefore, when I had more time last year, I asked my mom if I could continue to learn Kumon. It feels warm to learn Kumon again; it was like seeing an old buddy, and I soon completed all levels of learning.
Learning Never Stops | Thanks to Mom
Each Kumon Completer will be filled with emotions when they recalled their years of study, Wang is no exception. The most unforgettable memory was not only about the persistence in learning and facing the bottleneck, but also about the effort his mom made for him.
Starting from Primary 2, regardless of weather conditions, Wang regularly attended Kumon education center twice a week. “When I was little, I could not go to center by myself, so my mom sent me to school. She picked me up from school and dropped me off at Kumon, and then went home. Every time I study in Kumon, my mom would be waiting for me outside the education center. Even during bad weather, she would do the same. One year, Shanghai suffered the largest rainstorm in a decade. Even my mom needed to push her motorbike along the street, she still managed to send me to center. I learn Kumon every day, rain or shine.”
Wang’s mom, who was sitting next to Wang, also remembered that. “It was very bad rainstorm; the rainfall amount should be more than 200mm, I did not dare to drive the motorbike for fear that it may cause electric shock. Therefore, I was pushing the motorbike on the sidewalk, and I was also worried that my child might fall into the water. I didn’t realize that there was a pit near the root of a tree. When I changed the direction of my motorbike, my hand got hurt and bleeding…”
Wang’s mom continued, “Actually, I am so touched to hear what he said today. Because he has grown up and doesn't talk to me a lot now. I feel that he has his own thoughts now.” With his mom’s encouragement and support in actions, Wang can be persistent in the study.
Wang’s mom said, “Indeed, as parents, sometimes I think our heart is particularly ruthless. He also learned Latin dance in Primary school, and he has learned it for five years. He went to Kumon every Friday after school, and then learned Latin dance at seven, my heart ached for him, but I would just say, ‘hurry up and go inside!’ Every parent wants their children to become strong. Therefore, I also encourage my child to use time wisely to develop learning habit, cultivate academic ability, and accumulate the knowledge.”
Parents who truly love their children would be like Wang’s mom, who encourages and supports her child to continue learning. We are thankful for Wang’s mom’s persistence, which makes Wang a Kumon excellent student today. Wang said, “If I can, I want to be a scientist and study Math, and then apply Math to other areas.” We believe that this non-stop and persistent learning attitude will accompany Wang for the rest of his life.