How do you convince your child that needing a tutor is not a bad thing? How do you find the right tutor for your child? These are just some of the questions that may go through a parent’s mind when they realize that their child needs a little help in school. Your child can feel good about being tutored and you can feel confident in your tutoring choices.
I remember being tutored in math when I was in grade school. I had a teacher who just could not be bothered with a child who could not keep up with the rest of the class. My mom found a neighbor who was also a teacher and she tutored me on Saturdays. She made math fun for me by allowing me to work outside at the picnic table. I remember that she was a nice lady and she smiled a lot. She did not make me feel like I was stupid and she was very patient with my questions and my awkward attempts at solving the problems. My tutor was a good match for me. Finding a good match for your child can be done if you first look at your child. You need to understand what it is that your child is struggling with. Is the problem a simple task of learning a difficult subject in school, or does your child also suffer from self-esteem issues. Speaking with your child’s teacher may be a good place to start when trying to grasp the whole problem. In my case, it was a matter of my needing some extra time to grasp the concepts. Every child learns at a different pace. One teacher is placed in a classroom with 15 to 25 different individual students. You cannot expect all the students to be able to learn at the same pace. Classroom teachers seldom have the time to devote to those students who learn at a slower pace or who just need a little extra time to practice a concept before understanding it fully. Lack of understanding is not the only reason children may need tutoring. Some children may need a tutor when they fall behind due to absences because of illness or moving. Some children have a difficult time paying attention in class and may fall behind. Finding tuition job is not an easy task. You might have to search endlessly for a good tutor. As you click on the link you can easily find the best tutors in your region that are looking for teaching opportunities.
Signs your child may need a tutor
Your child:
- Shows a lack of attention in class
- Absenteeism
- Trouble organizing time
- Trouble completing assignments
- Expresses feeling of frustration
- Expresses feelings of sadness, anger or shame
- In obvious need of learning study skills
- Special event or test is approaching
Your Child’s Teacher:
Speak with your child’s teacher. The teacher may be able to give you more clues about what is really going on with your child. You may find out things that are happening in the classroom environment in which your child is learning that may have a bearing on the problem your child is experiencing – peer pressure, teacher ability, teacher attitude, number of children in the class, etc. Teachers usually know their classroom children pretty well and can give parents good ideas about factors concerning your child’s classroom performance that may help you in choosing the tutor. The school may even have a list of tutors available to parents. You can also ask other parents at the school for recommendations for tutors that they may have used. Local colleges may also have those willing to be tutors.
Questions to ask the Tutor:
Ask the tutor who they will be assessing your child during the tutoring period. Ask how the tutor will develop instructional plans and how assessments will be made regarding how your child is progressing. It would be wise for you to observe the tutor during the first few sessions to make sure that the tutor is a good match for your child. This is especially important if there was an issue with the child’s teacher or if the child has self-esteem issues or had feelings of anger, frustration, sadness or shame associated with the reason for the tutoring.
Before Tutoring Starts:
You should sit down with your child and discuss with him or her why you feel a tutor is needed. Listen to how your child views the situation. Be as specific as possible so that your child understands the situation. Be kind, and sensitive to your child’s self-esteem needs. Let your child know that the tutoring is for his benefit, so that he or she will not have to struggle anymore, but will be able to find confidence in the subject. Getting your child’s input will give your child a sense of ownership over the tutoring situation and he or she will be more likely to go along with it if they feel they have a say in what will happen.
Tips:
- Set a schedule for tutoring, leaving time for play and other activities
- Reward your child for participation and achievements
- Look into tutoring centers that may provide a multi-faceted tutoring experience
- Explore online tutoring programs and websites
Remember each child is different and each tutoring situation is different, even with the same child. You must look at each separate occasion and assess the situation thoroughly before making any decisions. Involve your child in your tutoring decision. Speak with your child’s teacher to understand the entire learning situation in the classroom and how it has affected your child’s ability to learn. Seek advice from the school about finding tutors, including asking other parents about any recommendations they may have about tutors they have used. Understand, assess and plan for a successful tutoring experience that your child will benefit from.
