New Kumon Center Promotes Mission of Lifelong Learning

After 10 months in Darien, officially celebrated its opening Saturday with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house. 

City officials and members of the Darien Chamber of Commerce welcomed the business to town, which owner Anita Sinha said helps students become independent learners. 

Instructors at the afterschool center work with students as young as 3 years old all the way through high school to help them advance their math and reading skills, Sinha said.

“Our goal is really big for kids,” she said. “We want them to be ready for high-level education.” 

Students who attend sessions at Kumon spend about half an hour working on each subject. They’re also given worksheets to complete at home.

While instructors are there to coach them through problems, students are expected to first try solving them on their own.

“We want them to learn from their own mistakes because that’s the best learning they can have,” Sinha said. But students will have plenty of support because instructors don’t want them to feel frustrated, she said.

Skills taught at Kumon start with the basics such as the alphabet and numerals and continue all the way through high-level reading comprehension and calculus, she said. The center tests students at their first visit to determine what level is the right fit.

“We’re covering the whole curriculum, not just picking apart pieces that might not be working,” said Kumon representative Rhonda Mikelenas.

Kumon instructor and Hinsdale South senior Gina Skiris said that it’s been wonderful to see the progress students have made in the months since she’s been working at the Darien center. 

“I can’t tell you how far (my students) have improved,” said Skiris, an aspiring elementary school teacher who works with the youngest children who come to Kumon. “It makes me so happy.”