Tutoring helps children work on academic topics with experts outside of school. Tutoring can be useful for children who struggle with certain subjects, children who are looking to advance in topics, and/or children who just want a little extra support.
However, tutoring can be an added expense for families. Plus, children need time to relax and do things that are not academic, so tutoring can be a tough addition to their schedule. If you think your child would benefit from tutoring but you’re not sure, keep reading. The team at Sawyer has answers to your questions and information to help you find a tutor for your child, if you feel like they need it.
Tutoring for kids
Does your child need a tutor?
Before you dive into finding a tutor for your child, you need to decide if tutoring would help your child. In order to answer the question, “does my child need a tutor?”, you should start by asking the following questions.
- Is my child struggling with a specific subject? If you have noticed that your child is consistently struggling with an academic subject like math or English, a tutor might be helpful. Getting 1-on-1 or small group attention in that subject from someone other than their teacher in school can help them see the problem in a different light and feel more comfortable with the subject.
- Is my child especially interested in a specific subject? Does your child absolutely love science and can’t get enough of it in school? Signing your child up for a science tutor or extracurricular STEM classes can help your child dive deeper into that subject and move beyond what they would learn in school.
- Does my child feel behind or need extra support? Maybe your child is not struggling, yet, but they have told you or you sense that they are not fully getting the material. Signing them up for a few sessions with a tutor can help them catch up or get more comfortable with the material so that they can advance in the subject along with their classmates.
- Would adding tutoring to my child’s schedule be overwhelming? Children thrive with routines and schedules, but it is important for there to be balance. If you find that your child is exhausted by homework, school, and other academic activities, adding a tutor might be too much. Children need time to relax and just be kids.
Ask these questions to yourself, your partner, your child’s teacher, and even your child themselves, depending on their age. Get guidance from the people who interact with your child frequently in an academic setting so that you can make the right decision.
Benefits of tutoring
How can tutoring help your child? There are many benefits of tutoring for children in elementary, middle, and high school. Here are some of the benefits that your child can gain from tutoring.
- Catching up on a subject. If your child is struggling with a specific subject, falling behind because of illness or other reasons, or just needs extra support, tutoring can be that scaffolding. Tutoring is often 1-on-1 or in small groups, so your child will have more attention and might feel comfortable asking questions they cannot ask in school.
- Learning from a different instructor. When your child works with a tutor, they get to learn the subject from someone other than their teacher. Their tutor will likely have a different teaching style and different perspectives that might resonate more with your child.
- Reiteration of material. Tutoring is an opportunity for your child to re-learn the subject that they are learning in school. Maybe all they need is just to hear it again and then it will stick in their brains.
- Increased self-esteem. When children struggle with school subjects, it can be hard on their confidence and self-esteem. When they work with a tutor, they have the opportunity to succeed. When they succeed with their tutor, their self-esteem will get a boost that can accompany them back into the classroom.
- Improves study habits. Tutors can help children develop their study skills so they can become more independent learners. They will gain better habits that can help them in high school and college.
How to find a tutor
Decided that tutoring is right for your child? Now it is time to find a tutor that will help your child reach their goals. Finding the right tutor might take time, but it is worth it! The right tutor will make your child feel comfortable and confident in the subject. Hopefully, you will see their self-esteem and grades improve as well!
- Decide on the goals. Before you can find the right tutor for your child, you need to determine your goals. Are you looking for an improvement in grades, confidence, or both? Are you hoping to just get your child more comfortable in the subject? Understanding the goals will be useful when you are finding a tutor for your child.
- Understand your child’s learning style. Speak with your child’s teacher to get a sense of how they learn. This is incredibly important information when you are researching and speaking with potential tutors. You can also speak with your child to see if they are interested in working with a tutor in-person or online.
- Set your budget. Tutoring is an added cost, so it is important to know what you can set aside for this before you start looking.
- Start researching. Reach out to your child’s teacher and/or school counselor to see if there are any tutors they can recommend. Sometimes older students, former and even current teachers, and community members work as tutors on the side. You can also look for in-person and online tutors on Sawyer and other similar children’s activity marketplaces. Make sure you check to see their credentials!
- Read reviews. When you are doing your research, take the time to read reviews from families who have worked with the tutor. This is so helpful because you can get a real sense of what it is like to work with that tutor.
- Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to treat this like an interview. Include your child and ask as many questions as you can. We’d even recommend doing a practice session between your child and the tutor so that you can see how they work together.
- Get to work and check in frequently. Once you have decided on a tutor, have your child and their tutor get to work. But, make sure that you check in with both your child and their tutor after each session to see how everyone is doing. You want to make sure your child is feeling comfortable with their tutor and gaining confidence in the subject matter. Plus, you want to hear from the tutor that they feel like your child is making progress and being open with them.
If you think tutoring is right for your child, now is the time to find one! There are great online tutors on Sawyer like Bee Tutored, ETX Tutoring, Southlake Tutoring Academy, and more that can help your child learn and gain confidence. If you are looking for more in-person and online activities, both academic and just for fun, check out Sawyer!
