Is It Time for a Tutor?
By Kathleen A. Matchunis
Tutoring can be a proactive, rather than a reactive tool. If you see that your child is having difficulty with a subject, you will have better results if you pursue tutoring, rather than waiting until your child is making a D or F in a course.
Here are some signs that your child may need a tutor:
- Your child is stressed
- Your child is frustrated
- Your child doesn’t have consistent grades
- Your child doesn’t seem to learn easily with the teacher’s teaching style
- Your child has a learning disability
- Your child lacks confidence
- Your child lacks motivation
One on one instruction can be beneficial to motivate the child. Your child will probably feel less stressed and intimidated by others in a one-on-one setting. If your child is frustrated, maybe he is missing something. Perhaps if the same concept is explained a different way, by a different person, he will be able to grasp it. Your child will learn how to save time and energy by using the study techniques which correspond to his learning style. There are specific study techniques for each learning style. A good tutor will teach to your child’s own personal learning style, making learning easier and more fun.
If your child does not have consistent grades, he may need some help with time management. If there is a problem with organizational skills or study techniques, chances are it will be more easily discovered and remediated by tutoring. If you have a child with a learning disability, make sure that you find a tutor who has experience with students with the same type of learning disability.
How should you choose the right tutor for your child? Ask your child’s teacher or the department head of the subject for references. If you don’t find the right tutor, call another area school. If you have friends who have children of a similar age, ask for tutoring references from them. If you find a tutor on your own, make sure that the tutor is certified or has proper credentials. Meet the tutor in person to see if you think that he or she would be a good match for your child. Consider whether you need someone firm and structured or friendly and more relaxed. Make sure that you discuss how the tutor will approach your child’s challenge. Discuss fees and scheduling and the tutor’s policy on missed sessions. If you do not know the tutor, you may want to sit in on the first session or have the tutor meet with your child in a public place. Find out how the tutor will communicate the results of each session to you, whether it be via email or phone.
You need to make sure that your child has some “skin in the game”. In other words, if your child is truly slacking, it might be a beneficial by having them contribute financially to the tutor’s fee. If a child has to pay part of the fee, they will value the tutoring session and not waste any time in trying to progress.
Original content by Kathleen A. Matchunis, B.A., M.S., Academic Coach & Tutor, 954 294 9708 www.connectinginc.net
Tutoring can be a proactive, rather than a reactive tool. If you see that your child is having difficulty with a subject, you will have better results if you pursue tutoring, rather than waiting until your child is making a D or F in a course.
Here are some signs that your child may need a tutor:
- Your child is stressed
- Your child is frustrated
- Your child doesn’t have consistent grades
- Your child doesn’t seem to learn easily with the teacher’s teaching style
- Your child has a learning disability
- Your child lacks confidence
- Your child lacks motivation
One on one instruction can be beneficial to motivate the child. Your child will probably feel less stressed and intimidated by others in a one-on-one setting. If your child is frustrated, maybe he is missing something. Perhaps if the same concept is explained a different way, by a different person, he will be able to grasp it. Your child will learn how to save time and energy by using the study techniques which correspond to his learning style. There are specific study techniques for each learning style. A good tutor will teach to your child’s own personal learning style, making learning easier and more fun.
If your child does not have consistent grades, he may need some help with time management. If there is a problem with organizational skills or study techniques, chances are it will be more easily discovered and remediated by tutoring. If you have a child with a learning disability, make sure that you find a tutor who has experience with students with the same type of learning disability.
How should you choose the right tutor for your child? Ask your child’s teacher or the department head of the subject for references. If you don’t find the right tutor, call another area school. If you have friends who have children of a similar age, ask for tutoring references from them. If you find a tutor on your own, make sure that the tutor is certified or has proper credentials. Meet the tutor in person to see if you think that he or she would be a good match for your child. Consider whether you need someone firm and structured or friendly and more relaxed. Make sure that you discuss how the tutor will approach your child’s challenge. Discuss fees and scheduling and the tutor’s policy on missed sessions. If you do not know the tutor, you may want to sit in on the first session or have the tutor meet with your child in a public place. Find out how the tutor will communicate the results of each session to you, whether it be via email or phone.
You need to make sure that your child has some “skin in the game”. In other words, if your child is truly slacking, it might be a beneficial by having them contribute financially to the tutor’s fee. If a child has to pay part of the fee, they will value the tutoring session and not waste any time in trying to progress.
Original content by Kathleen A. Matchunis, B.A., M.S., Academic Coach & Tutor, 954 294 9708 www.connectinginc.net