Maybe you are thinking that your child needs a tutor? Let’s look at the signs they might need one and then the different kinds of tutoring you could use.

Does your child need a tutor? This can be a loaded question and it certainly a personal decision. There are times when your child could really benefit from having tutoring – in a certain subject, or in different skills. I have worked as a tutor, but I preferred to work as a learning coach (for children who had learning difficulties, to help them with the skills they needed to learn, rather than content). There were times when it worked really well, and others where it was frustrating. Usually it is a short term commitment, but some families like to have extended seasons of tutoring for their children. 

SIGNS YOUR CHILD MIGHT NEED A TUTOR

There are several signs that may indicate that your child could benefit from some tutoring and additional help. Here are some common things to look out for:

Struggling with grades

If your child’s grades have been consistently declining or if they are having difficulty understanding the material and keeping up with their schoolwork, it may be time to consider getting a tutor – especially if you don’t feel equipped to help them. 

Lack of confidence

If your child seems to lack confidence in what they can do or expresses frustration or anxiety about their schoolwork, a tutor can help boost their confidence and provide the extra support they need.

Avoiding homework or studying

If your child consistently avoids doing homework, studying for tests, or completing assignments, it could be a sign that they are struggling and could benefit from additional help. (Of course, this could also be your child just not liking the subject or learning, so it is worthwhile having some good conversations about it.)

Not reaching their potential

If you believe that your child is not reaching their full academic potential or if you notice that they are not being challenged enough in school, a tutor can help provide more advanced or personalized learning opportunities. BUT, let me just say that not every child has the same academic potential. Not all children are “ALL A” children. If your child is consistently getting Bs in school and getting all As would be a push, don’t go and get a tutor to push their grades higher. It’ll only cause frustration. If they are pulling in Cs and could get Bs, then that might be a time to evaluate. I just wanted to make note that “not reaching their potential” is not about always having the highest grades. It is a personal thing. 

Specific subject difficulties

If your child is consistently struggling in a particular subject, such as math, reading, or science, a tutor specializing in that subject can provide targeted support and help your child improve their understanding and skills.

Preparing for standardized tests

If your child needs to prepare for standardized tests, college entrance exams, or other important assessments, a tutor can provide guidance, practice, and strategies to help them succeed.

TYPES OF TUTORING

There are different types of tutoring. You need to find what is going to work for your child, your schedule and your budget. 

Informal

This is where your child gets help from an older sibling or cousin or friend. It really is any kind of help that happens outside of the classroom. It could just look like homework help.

Online

Online tutoring can be an attractive and affordable option. It’s flexible, convenient, and can be catered to your different needs. Many are self-paced, meaning you can do the work when you are able. It can be great for children who are self-motivated, but a large number of children do need individualized attention. 

There are many online tutoring services such as Chegg, Skooli, or Tutor.Com  

Many, if not most, of them have a wide variety of subjects and ages covered, as well as different price structures that can work for many families. 

Private

You might need a tutor who offers regular, in-person sessions. Some children need face-to-face, more personalized support and be away from the computer. Private tutoring is ideal for children needing to focus on a specific subject. Cost can sometimes be prohibitive for families, but the benefit is definitely high. 

Standardized Test Prep

Many families like to engage tutors for their highschool children doing the SAT or ACT (or whatever test they are taking). These tests can feel so overwhelming that hiring a tutor often feels like you must. (Yes, I do know of families who want their younger children to have test prep for their yearly standardized test, though I am honestly not sure why). 

There are many free or low-cost online standardized test prep resources and courses available online. Khan Academy is great for its free learning tools – including test prep like the SAT, MCAT and LSAT. Varsity Tutors has a free course, and students can take free practice tests. 

There are also other programs or centers like Kumon, Sylvan or Huntington. 

It is a personal decision to engage a tutor. There are many factors to take into place, like budget. But it can be a good decision if your child is really struggling and you don’t feel like you have the capacity to effectively help. 

Other vlogs to look at:
Help! My Child Hates to Learn
My Child Isn’t Reading Yet