The Inspiring Life of Toru Kumon and His Revolutionary Educational Method

Behind every innovative educational method is a visionary mind that created it. In the case of the Kumon Method , that visionary genius is Toru Kumon who revolutionized education throughout the world with his method.

Toru Kumon was born on March 26, 1914 in the city of Kochi, Japan. From an early age, he demonstrated a great passion for mathematics and an exceptional analytical mind. It was during his elementary school years that he realized the lack of a systematic and progressive approach in teaching mathematics.

The inspiration for the Kumon Method arose from Toru Kumon’s concern for the poor academic performance of his son , Takeshi. She decided to take action and developed a series of math exercises that suited her son’s pace and skill level. These exercises, which emphasized self-directed learning and continual repetition, laid the foundation for the Kumon Method.

As Takeshi progressed and showed remarkable progress in mathematics, Toru Kumon ‘s neighbors and friends became aware of the success of his method. Word of mouth began to spread, and soon other parents showed interest in Toru Kumon’s approach to improving their children’s math skills.

In 1954, Toru Kumon founded the Kumon Institute in Osaka , Japan, with the goal of sharing his method with an increasing number of students. The Kumon Institute initially focused on mathematics, but over time it expanded to include other areas, such as reading and writing.

As the fame of the Kumon Method spread, the Kumon Institute began to receive requests from parents and educators from all over the world. In the 1970s, the Kumon Method was introduced to countries such as the United States, Canada, and Brazil , and has continued to expand internationally ever since.

Toru Kumon left a lasting legacy in the field of education. His innovative and unique approach has impacted the lives of millions of students, enabling them to develop strong academic skills and a love of autonomous learning .

Today, the Kumon Method has become an established educational practice throughout the world, and the Kumon Institute continues its mission to help students reach their full potential.

Toru Kumon ‘s life is an inspiring testament to how innovative thinking and commitment can transform education . Her dedication to improving her son’s math skills led to the development of the Kumon Method , an approach that has revolutionized the way math is taught and learned around the world.

Toru Kumon’s legacy lives on through the millions of students who have benefited from his method and will continue to be inspired by his vision and passion for education.