Cornering the Market

Developing skills for self-learning

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Kumon Math and Reading Center of Merrick
71 Merrick Ave., Merrick
(516) 206-4200, www.kumon.com/merrick

The Kumon Method, founded in Japan by Toru Kumon, a high school math teacher who was helping his son, has been in existence for more than 50 years. Starting a network of after-school teaching centers, he streamlined a method to accelerate children’s learning. Kumon franchises can be found all over the world. Now Merrick has a Kumon Math and Reading Learning Center as well.

Steven Dershowitz opened his facility in January. Extensively trained and certified as a Kumon Instructor, Dershowitz has worked with children in Merrick since 2001, both as a Little League coach and through the PTA. He and his wife, Eileen, who is currently a PTA president, have a son in college and daughter in high school.

Unlike traditional tutoring services, the Kumon method promotes self-learning, and students progress at their own pace. Devoting no more than a half hour a day, but doing it everyday, students complete carefully calibrated work sheets, which are corrected by instructors before advancing to the next one. If a student doesn’t understand a concept and/or needs help, necessary steps are taken to ensure that he or she can work until it’s mastered.

Prior to starting on the work sheets, a placement exam is given to see where the child needs to begin. Students then come into the center twice a week, and take home work sheets for the other days. The program is designed to build confidence and self esteem, instill self-discipline, and to help the student become self-reliant. Whether the child is lagging behind and needs to catch up, or is already at grade level and wants to excel, he or she can only benefit.

The Kumon Math Program helps children and teens develop skills necessary to progress from counting to calculus. The Kumon Reading Program spans from basic phonics to advanced reading comprehension. The programs are designed to enrich what they learn in school. Kumon instructors monitor each child’s progress, making sure the comprehension is there before continuing onto a new concept.

Children can enroll and benefit from age three through high school. There is no time commitment required or contract. Payment is month to month, although three to six months are recommended to see improvement.

Class hours are at the Merrick center are Monday and Thursday, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Office hours are noon to 2:30 Monday and Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.