Educational Survey Findings: Canadian parents ensure summer learning

June 3, 2009

From coast to coast, Canadian parents are making summer learning for their child a family activity, according to findings from a recent online educational study for Kumon Math and Reading Centres.

The more than 1,000 Canadian parents of children between the ages of five and 15 surveyed by Ipsos-Reid indicated they encourage their child to participate in learning activities that can be done as a family over the summer, with reading being the most encouraged activity at 81 per cent.

"Parents are making learning more and more a personal priority in the home over the summer months," explains Dr. Donna McGhie-Richmond, educational specialist with Kumon Math and Reading Centres. "Parents are making efforts to best address their child's unique academic and personal needs over the holidays through activities that bring learning to life in fun and exciting ways."

Personalizing your child's learning experiences over the summer holidays is a great way to foster continued academic confidence and forge a passion for, and enjoyment of, learning. Dr. McGhie-Richmond and Kumon Math and Reading Centres offer the most effective summer learning activities used by Canadian parents according to the study.

• Encourage Reading (81 per cent) -- Taking the time to enjoy books during the holidays allows your child to keep their reading, comprehension and analytical skills sharp in an enjoyable way that is geared to their experiences, interests, and hobbies.

• Visit the Library (48 per cent) – Reading does not have to be costly. The local library offers countless varieties of literature, allowing your child opportunities to explore their passions and expand on their interests.

• Experience travel (46 per cent) – Traveling offers your child the chance to learn in an interactive and experiential way. Involving your child in planning the trip, exploring with them and talking about where they will be going and what they will be seeing and doing, will enhance their learning and travel experiences.

• Complete Puzzle or Trivia Worksheets (44 per cent) – Working on puzzles and worksheets helps your child to further develop analytical, reasoning and assessment skills, and are a great way to pass the time on a long road trip.

• Incorporate math into every day family activities (32 per cent) – From cooking and baking with your child, to having them calculate the budget for summer travel, helping your child incorporate math into daily activities will keep their skills sharp; allowing them to build successfully on a solid foundation of the basics come September.

Taking a few extra steps to ensure that learning continues over the summer, whether you're enrolling your child in a supplemental education program like Kumon or incorporating educational activities into your vacation plans, can be one of the most important investments you make in the future of your child.

Kumon Math and Reading Centres' podcasting series, The Learning Curve, can be downloaded from iTunes for more educational tips to help your child make the most of their learning experience.

More information on the Kumon program is available online at www.kumon.com.

IPSOS-REID METHODOLOGY

These are the findings of a poll conducted on behalf of Kumon Canada from April 6 to April 10, 2009. This online survey of 1,024 Canadian adults was conducted via the Ipsos I-Say Online Panel, Ipsos-Reid's national online panel. The results of this poll are based on a sample where quota sampling and weighting are employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to Census data. An unweighted probability sample of this size, with a 100% response rate, would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had the entire adult population of Canada with children been polled.

ABOUT KUMON MATH AND READING CENTRES

Kumon is an after-school math and reading program. The learning method uses a systematic individualized approach that helps children develop a solid command of math and reading skills. Through daily practice and mastery of materials, students increase confidence, improve concentration and develop better study skills. Kumon has 26,000 centres in 45 countries and more than four million students studying worldwide. Kumon Canada is headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario. To learn more visit www.kumon.com or call 1-800-ABC-MATH.


For more information contact:
Daniel Wooster
Public Relations Manager
Kumon Canada Inc.
Phone: 1-800-266-6681 ext. 2265
Cell: 647-501-4461
Email: dwooster@kumon.com
Website: www.kumon.com

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