The Christmas season incites excitement and anticipation, but it can also bring on nervousness and reticence if your child is not doing well in school. The holidays can be the perfect time to determine if your kid needs some extra support when they go back to class in the New Year.
Is it Time for a Tutor?
Deciding to get a tutor can be challenging for families. The first question parents often ask me is: “How do I know if I should get a tutor for my child?”
Begin by reflecting on the previous year(s) and consider your answers to the following questions:
1. Has your child had difficulties in only the past year or multiple years?
2. Was most of the curriculum challenging?
3. Did your child seek extra help from their teacher, but it didn’t seem effective?
4. Did the school provide any extra resources (either after school or from online programs) but it didn’t help?
5. Does your child do better in a one-on-one environment?
6. Is your child open to having a tutor?
If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, it might be time to consider looking for a tutor.
The Right Fit
The next question is: “How do you choose the right tutor for your child?”
Here are some things to look for and ask:
1. Does the tutor’s academic background meet my child’s needs?
2. How long has the tutor been tutoring?
3. What resources does the tutor provide?
4. How will the tutor assess my child’s needs?
5. Do they offer online and/or in-person tutoring? Some children do much better with in-person tutoring, though due to the pandemic, children are familiar with online learning.
6. Do they offer flexible contracts, or is it “pay per session?” Some tutors require a minimum number of hours and weeks. Can you cancel without penalty, if a problem arises (ie. your child becomes ill or there is a family situation that prohibits further sessions), or if you feel the tutoring is not effective for your child?
7. Can you have an initial trial session (possibly free) to make sure the tutor is a good fit for your child?
8. How much does the tutor charge?
9. How and with what frequency will the tutor communicate with you?
Remember, tutoring is not a quick fix, especially if your child has struggled academically for several years. If you choose a tutor, you need to make a plan regarding money and time and then commit to it.
The Benefits
Beyond improving grades, tutoring offers numerous benefits that can positively impact your child’s overall development. A good tutor can help your child develop effective study habits and time-management skills. Tutoring can also boost your child’s motivation and enthusiasm for learning by providing personalized attention and encouragement. By addressing individual needs and learning styles, a tutor can help your child overcome challenges and discover their strengths, fostering a positive attitude towards education and building resilience.
An experienced tutor can also provide invaluable support during key educational transitions, such as moving from elementary to high school or from high school to post-secondary. They can offer guidance on choosing appropriate courses and help your child navigate these changes smoothly, so your child is well-prepared and confident in their decisions.
Tutoring can prevent small issues from becoming big problems and help establish a strong foundation for learning. Additionally, while parents often have the knowledge to help their children, maintaining a healthy parent-child relationship is crucial, especially in a child’s formative years.
With an experienced and knowledgeable tutor who communicates well and supports your family, tutoring can help your child achieve academic success and build their confidence.
