[CommonWealth Education] Emphasizing Individual Differences, KUMON Systematically Cultivates Children's Problem-Solving Abilities
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 65% of jobs in the future will need to be reinvented. Dell's Future Research Center estimates that by 2030, up to 85% of jobs will not even exist yet. In response to the rapidly changing industries and future uncertainties, educational reforms are constantly rolling in, and the challenges of learning continue to evolve. So, how do we prepare children for these future challenges?
Yu Jin-Yan, a teacher who has been on the front lines of education for 26 years and has accompanied countless children in their growth, believes that no matter how education trends change, reading skills are the essential foundation of learning. It is the teacher's responsibility to guide students to develop learning perseverance, the willingness to face challenges, and ultimately cultivate their problem-solving abilities to succeed.
Yu Jin-Yan, who has been involved in KUMON-style education since 1996 in the rural town of Yangmei, credits her high recognition from many parents to her teaching philosophy and her commitment to continuous professional growth. She said, "What I value is not the child's immediate academic performance but whether they are building good learning habits step by step during the process." And what makes a good learning habit? It includes focus, perseverance, resilience, and the core of the 108 National Curriculum Guidelines: self-directed learning. "Not only do children need to learn, but as a teacher, I must constantly enrich myself." In order to respond to educational trends and changes, she has followed KUMON's teacher training, continuously accumulating professional knowledge to stay at her best in accompanying children on their learning journey.
Yu Jin-Yan also emphasizes the importance of not pursuing quick results but instead listening to and guiding each child's learning process. "When children enter my classroom, I not only observe their personalities and habits but also maintain continuous communication with their parents." She believes a child's learning success is closely tied to the parents' attitude. After the initial learning assessment, she works with parents to understand the child's state and strengths, explaining how they can cooperate with the learning requirements and pace. "I help parents know how to support the learning process with patience, and together we help the child build a solid foundation for learning." She attaches great importance to parent-teacher cooperation and adjusts learning goals based on the child's progress, always focusing on consistent communication with parents. "We must encourage them when they perform well, and show concern when they face setbacks. Children should know that both their parents and teachers are on the same team, working towards their success."