Amazing things happen when...

...a mother dedicates herself to helping her son develop a love of stories and books.

Lisa Jose's story was so typical.  So many of us have heard or felt these words: "My son doesn't like to read. I can't get him to be interested in books". But it might have been surprising to hear these words coming from Lisa because she was constantly keeping her son Ethan busy with extracurricular activities. For academics, Ethan was enrolled in Kumon and she followed the program religiously.

But the Reading worksheets didn't seem to be doing the trick. There was something missing.

Then one day, Ethan was asked to join the Book Club. The concept was so simple and easy to follow: read all the books from a list of books at your level. When you move on to the next level, then read all the books from that list. And so on and so forth.   Lisa began checking out the books for Ethan to read and checking them off from the list as he read them. One by one, book by book, he kept on reading.

Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. Then almost a year later, I had a conversation with Ethan and things were quite different. We talked about several of the books and what he had liked about them. I was amazed at the vivid details he would share about some of the stories. It wasn't so much that he had developed a love of reading: he said it best when he said "I just like the stories". Nowadays, when Lisa calls out that dinner is ready, sometimes he will shout out: "Give me a minute, I really like this story!".

The connection between raising a child's ability to read and guiding him to fall in love with books had been made. But clearly that's not the end of this story. Was the secret simply to give a child a list of books and make him read from the list? Definitely not.

What made Ethan's story a success was Lisa. It was the way she patiently dedicated herself to working with Ethan every day. Sure there were many days when Ethan did not want to read or he would just get frustrated. But it was the way Lisa shared the burden with him, every day, that made the difference in the long run. She was fascinated with the books, so that made Ethan feel interested also.  She asked questions and pointed out interesting things.  She didn't just make him read, but she consistently read with him and they discovered the stories together.  That made all the difference.

If you've seen the Kung Fu Panda movies, you will know that there is no "secret ingredient".  The real "secret ingredient" for success in anything (whether it's that special noodle soup or how to become the dragon warrior) is being true to yourself, and being faithful to that realization.

In the case of teaching our children how to love books and stories, it really is essential to have a roadmap and a guide. But the most important component, the "secret ingredient", is US and our faithfulness to our children.

Here's to Ethan Billy, the first Honorary Gold Member of our Book Club, and a true lover of books and stories.

He and his mom inspire me.

Sincerely,
Mauricio Maruri
http://www.kumon.com/how-kumon-works

"Only with the heart can one see clearly,...

...what is essential is invisible to the eye."  *

I recently saw first-hand how people in many other countries can more easily see Kumon for what it truly is: not a tutoring program, but a blessing, a privilege, and a huge opportunity not afforded to all.

Two weeks ago I was in Mexico where I attended an international Kumon instructors conference with hundreds of instructors from all over North America.  What I saw and heard amazed me:

My son Ben and I visiting the ruins of Tulum.
He's been doing Kumon since he was 4 years old.

I heard stories of instructors who overcame incredible obstacles in order to bring the Kumon program into their communities.  They fought so hard because they believed it will literally change their society for the better and move their country forward.

I heard about so many families that had to work extra hard in order to be able to afford to send their children to Kumon.  And they did it because they believed that it will allow them to have the future that all parents dream for their children.  

I have to be honest and say that I hadn't seen this so clearly until now.  I definitely always have believed that it is my privilege to serve my community and make an impact on children here in Norman.  But what I saw in Mexico was so much bigger and more profound.  

When I heard the following quote, I thought of so many of my own students... "It is precisely because a country's citizens individually develop their potential that the country as a whole grows strong and prosperous. Any society or country's strength is, after all, the sum of the abilities of the people that live there. This is why we can say that developing the powers and ability of the individual is nothing other than contributing to the prosperity and well-being of the society and country of these individuals".   

What a blessing it was to travel to Mexico to see how most of the world views the value of the Kumon method.  And I am so blessed to work with so many families here in Norman, Oklahoma that truly see Kumon for what it is.

I am profoundly honored to be able to say that I am working to help children become better citizens of this great country and of the world.

It is hardly believable that two days after I returned from Mexico, this was the fortune cookie that I got when I went to lunch:


How mysterious and awe-inspiring!

All the best,

Mauricio Maruri
Kumon of Norman
http://www.kumon.com/how-kumon-works

*  From The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (which also happens to be in the Kumon Recommended Reading List).  One of my favorite quotes of all time because it speaks to what's important in life.  I often recommend this book to our students at the Kumon center.

Why "Caught Up" is Lame

Have you ever heard a basketball coach say "I want my team to be caught up"?
What if Bob Stoops or Mike Gundy said it?   How impressed would you be?
So, it's a bit surprising that so often many of us take that approach when it comes to our kids' future.  Specifically, to our kids' education.
I don't buy it.
As a Kumon Instructor, with so many of my students ahead of their peers by their own efforts, I say: "Caught up is Lame".   Being ahead is always better in sports.  So why not in academics?

As parents and as Americans, we can do so much more.  In this country we are incredibly blessed with opportunity.

Yet, most of the time in our society, the potential of children to achieve is grossly underestimated.
I encourage all of us not to "WAIT AND SEE" if our kids turn out to be good in school.
All evidence shows that whether they turn out to be excellent students is mostly up to us.

Let's commit to building a "Path of Excellence" for all of our children, regardless of their ability.  All children have the potential to exceed expectations.  And let's begin NOW.

Joyce Meyer once said: "We don't grow when things are easy; we grow when we face challenges."
Can our children have an amazingly fun summer AND also grow intellectually?

I challenge you to believe it is possible...

Sincerely,

Mauricio Maruri
http://www.kumon.com/how-kumon-works

A contagious Passion for Math

To be good at something is great, but to be passionate about it, makes all the difference in the world.

Through the years, I have strived to hire people that are passionate about Math and Reading, and about working with kids.  It isn't always easy, as you can imagine.  But I have been very lucky to live in a great college town with such an amazing pool of outstanding young men and women.  We've been blessed to have very competent, bright, and caring individuals working here in the last 8 years.

So, I want to begin featuring in my posts not only amazing students, but also the amazing staff members that we are lucky to have working with our students.  

And I would like to begin with Patricia Goresen.  She is a Math major at OU and she has a true passion and love for Mathematics.  Her warmth and gentleness with our students has stood out from day one.   She puts them at ease and helps them see not only how to do Math, but also that it can be rewarding.  

In addition to that, she is a true role model, specially for our girl students.  Patricia has high goals: she hopes to one day be able to use her Math skills working as a Forensics Analyst with the FBI.  How cool is that!  

And we've noticed something else happening lately:  Patricia's passion for Math seems to be contagious!   Our students tend to gravitate towards her.  They even stay a little bit longer than usual sometimes, just because she makes them feel comfortable as they work in Math.  

Patricia's smile puts
our students at ease,
even when a Math
problem seems daunting.

"I have grown to love working at Kumon because it's not just about hand-holding a student through Math homework, but it actually develops their ability to approach Math independently with confidence and without fear.  Practice not only makes perfect, but it also creates fearless mathematicians!" 

Not everyone knows this, but when students come to Kumon to work with Patricia and the rest of our Math staff, they can stay as long as they want or need at no extra charge.  In that regard, Kumon is like an academic gym.  People don't pay more when they spend more time at the gym working out.

In the end, I want people to know that their local Kumon Center in Norman, Oklahoma, is a warm and inviting place filled with passionate staff members who care about children.  Patricia is one of our best.  

Patricia, thanks for being the way that you are.

Sincerely,

Mauricio Maruri
Kumon of Norman

You don't normally expect an 11-year-old to write a poem so beautiful.

But when we begin developing our children's love of reading early on, amazing things can happen.
There is much we can do as parents to help our kids be the best they can be.
I hope you will enjoy this poem and be inspired:

I am Green

by Kendall Landis (written at age 11)

Exciting as the first summer day

I am leaves rustling on a sunny afternoon

I am a bee’s wings,

Buzzing into its hive

I am a frog,

Bouncing over the plush undergrowth

I am gritty, grimy, gross,

Green

I am a sour green apple,

Hanging,

Waiting to be picked

I am the small, sharp prick of a thorn

I am Green

I am the vibrant, green grass

I am excitement,

Jumping up & down with the feeling of joy

I am shyness,

The young child hiding behind Daddy’s leg

I am bravery,

Standing strong when havoc is wrought

I am hatred,

The feeling of madness when hurt or ignored

The essence that brings all life together,

I am Green

----------------------------------

Thank you Kendall for sharing this vivid poem with me.  Just in time for Saint Patrick's day!
And thank you Joshua and Manar (Kendall's parents) for allowing us to publish it to the world.  It has been such a pleasure to serve you all these years and see your children grow and develop their skills and their confidence.

Let's see how far they can go!

Sincerely,

Mauricio Maruri

Are Kindness and Confidence related?

I think Children who have gained confidence in their abilities through consistent work and discipline tend to be kinder to others. Toru Kumon said it best, 26 years ago: 

Toru Kumon, founder of the Kumon Method

“From my experience of continuously observing children, those up to third grade are quite egotistical. However, once they learn beyond their school grade level, and advance two and three years ahead, they do not remain egotistical anymore but become kinder to others. Of course I cannot say it is true one hundred percent of the time, but I can say more than fifty percent of such children do become kinder to others. Why does this happen? I believe it is because they gain self-confidence and extra capacity. Once children develop self-confidence and extra capacity, they become capable of succeeding at something on their own. For those who do not have the ability to achieve something on their own, I believe it will be more difficult for them to be kind to others.” 

Let's continue working with our children daily on their basic skills. Personally, it's a joy to know from experience that the benefits are not just better grades and academic success, but also children who are kinder to one another.

With "kind" :-) regards,


Mauricio Maruri

Kumon of Norman
http://www.kumon.com/how-kumon-works

The NEW Kumon Book Club

Reading is the Foundation to All Learning.

We all know this.  But, for many of us, it is difficult to consistently help our own kids develop a love of Reading.  There are so many distractions, so many things, other than reading, that compete for our kids time and attention.  

This is why I've decided to start a Book Club.  


One thing we know for sure is that children are more interested and motivated to do something if WE are interested and motivated.   Time and time again we've seen how reluctant readers become enthusiastic readers if we treat the problem as a "labor of love", not a chore.  The more we are interested in the stories they read, instead of how many minutes they read, the more they will read.   And it takes time.

But we could all use a Road Map, a little bit of encouragement, direction, support and even some excitement.   The NEW Kumon Book Club is meant to provide all of these.  And it is also meant to provide Accountability. Keeping each other accountable will help us stay on track.

Our Book Club will revolve around our Recommended Reading List (but it won't be limited by it).   It contains over 300 books, many of them award-winning and classic children's books.  We want as many children as possible to sign up for it and benefit from it.  

Starting this Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 15th & 16th (YES, we will be open on Monday), we will launch the Book Club in the Waiting Room with popcorn, activities, and information for parents and students on how to sign up and how it will work.

Children and Parents will be asked to keep track of the books they read and we will acknowledge and recognize those who go above and beyond the minimum requirements.  And every month, we will feature three books just to keep the conversation going.

All in all, the more we can make our Book Club interesting and exciting, the more we will be able to get our children excited about books and reading.  And, in time, they will develop the love of reading that we hope will last a lifetime.

See you this week at Kumon!

Mauricio