THE familiar expression 'I am no good at maths' could become a thing of the past according to Astley gran Avis Mulhearn.

She has been so impressed with the Japanese Kumon Maths teaching method she has now started her own Kumon study centre at Lowton Civic Hall.

The Kumon method is a remarkable learning system, invented by Toru Kumon in the early 1950s, a maths teacher who became disturbed by his son's inability to do simple sums.

It is aimed at both primary and secondary schoolchildren, and is described as 'an educational method that uses maths as a means to develop the fullest potential of each individual child'.

Each child who joins the class takes a diagnostic test to determine a comfortable level at which to begin. Working on the principal of 'little and often', children complete 10 to 15 minutes homework every day, and their progress is timed.

The Kumon method is based on the logical progression of hundreds of finely calibrated work sheets, which are made easy at first to build the child's confidence. There is no failing because each child works at their own level of competence.

"It really works," said Avis, whose two grandsons are using the method.

That phrase is repeated time and again by parents whose children are benefiting from the Kumon method.

The benefits spread into other areas. Children gain confidence and, because they adopt good study methods, find it easier to concentrate.

Each child's progress is monitored and a reward system makes it fun and challenging.

Widely used in Japan, Canada, Australia, South Africa and the United States, Kumon is now spreading rapidly across the UK with over two million students worldwide.

It is not a replacement for school maths, but complements class work.

To find out more call 01942-876530.

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