If your child is struggling in school, you may be thinking about getting a tutor. Learn when tutoring can be helpful and when to avoid it.
Did your child switch schools or get moved to a more difficult class? In this case, programs like Sylvan learning centers can be helpful because they give assessments that determine the child’s weak areas, give remedial help, and then re-assess to see if improvements have been made. A private tutor may not have the skills to assess your child adequately and may require more time to do so since they probably do not have access to the testing instruments that the learning centers do.
Does your child just need a pseudo-babysitter to motivate him or her to get the homework done? Yes, it would be cheaper if you did that duty along with everything else that you have to do. You may not have the time to take on this task, or your child may get antagonistic with you which is undermining your relationship outside of schoolwork. For this situation, a pricey tutor isn’t necessary. A reliable high school or college student could keep your child on task long enough to get the homework done and even assist with more difficult assignments.
Is your child struggling in all classes? Is reading, writing and/or math impossible for him or her? Are the grades bad because your child consistently doesn’t hand in work or even manage to bring the right books home to do the homework in the first place? If so, you may be dealing with learning disabilities. Common ones include ADHD and dyslexia. Or, your child could have a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression that is interfering with schoolwork. In these cases, you need to have your child evaluated to determine if there is a medical cause for your child’s difficulties. A tutor is not going to make much difference until you know what you are dealing with. If issues are found, you may choose medication when applicable or get a 504 plan or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) through the public school system to give your child extra help in school. For disabilities like dyslexia, special tutoring programs exist like Lindamood Bell that can help the child with learning skills. Some tutors also work with kids that have various conditions; however, ask parents of other kids with the same issues for recommendations since many tutors are ineffective with these children.
If your child just has difficulty with certain subjects and does not have a hidden disability, many options are available. You may want to do the learning centers like Sylvan. An older student that your child with whom your child has good rapport can be an option. Some teachers may tutor for extra money after hours, so you can check with your child’s school for referrals. There are also tutoring services that will send a tutor to your home which can be a good fit for busy schedules. These companies often require someone over the age of eighteen to be home when the tutor is there which can make scheduling sessions difficult.
No matter which tutoring option you choose, you will need to monitor your child’s progress and rapport with the tutor. You may have to try several before you find one that is a good fit for your child.
By keeping the points above in mind, you should be able to find an appropriate tutor for your son or daughter.