{"id":556,"date":"2025-09-04T17:13:38","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T17:13:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/developer@younginnovatorsccn.com"},"modified":"2025-09-04T17:13:38","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T17:13:38","slug":"the-kumon-dropouts-using-maker-centered-education-to-help-your-child-discover-their-interests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yiaschools.com\/wintergarden\/2025\/09\/04\/the-kumon-dropouts-using-maker-centered-education-to-help-your-child-discover-their-interests\/","title":{"rendered":"The Kumon Dropouts: Using Maker-Centered Education to Help Your Child Discover Their Interests"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Empowering Children Through Maker-Centered Education<\/h1>\n

Centered Education:<\/strong> When my children were growing up, I was a helicopter mom. I had the best intentions at heart. (I just wanted them to be successful and get into the best schools.)<\/p>\n

During a school event, I overheard some of the moms talk about how math and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) careers could give children a competitive advantage.<\/p>\n

Like the rest of the moms, I enrolled my children in Kumon, the tutoring center that helps children improve in their math and English skills.<\/p>\n

However, if I had the chance to give any advice to my younger version, I would probably have done things differently, as they were not struggling in school.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I waited long hours at the Kumon reception for them to practice worksheets. After each tutoring session, I had to endure the same question, “Mom, why is it that we have to go to Kumon?”<\/p>\n

I had that part under control: an entire speech on how the careers of the future had to do with math and STEAM.<\/p>\n

They reluctantly sat in the backseat complaining silently as they worked through their endless math worksheets. I also had a convincing speech on athletic scholarships.<\/p>\n

I drove them back and forth to Kumon until it became torture for all of us.<\/p>\n

That’s when they officially became Kumon dropouts.<\/p>\n

Learning Inspired by Passion<\/h2>\n

As an educator, I have become more aware of the importance of allowing children to pursue their interests and passions<\/a> through Maker-Centered Learning.<\/p>\n

Maker-Centered Learning is a framework where children create things they are passionate about.<\/p>\n

Maker education promotes student empowerment by engaging students to become more aware of the sense<\/span> of agency,\u00a0<\/span>which<\/span> places the child’s interest first. <\/span><\/p>\n

Children who are exposed to Maker<\/span>-C<\/span>entered Learning see themselves as people who can create and improve that design. <\/span>Children who develop a sense of learning take ownership and responsibility of their learning and become independent learners without <\/span>being dependent on<\/span>\u00a0others.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to an article published by <\/span>Barbara Bray<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>children who have a sense of agency have the following:<\/span><\/p>\n