Time for a Tutor? Winning the Homework Battles
As a parent, it’s frustrating to watch your child struggle academically and gradually lose confidence. Maybe a tutor—someone suited to help your child achieve better grades and assist in rebuilding her self-esteem—is the answer. With some practical advice and tips, you will be able to help your student find a successful and satisfying tutoring experience.
Signs of Trouble
Parents should be on the lookout for some specific, tell-tale signs of academic trouble, such as being reluctant to go to school or exhibiting newfound fears of failure. Has your child’s behavior become the exact opposite of his personality? Or, has your child lost interest in learning? Difficulties and the need for assistance may become obvious with a single alarming report card, or an unsettling parent/teacher meeting. First and foremost, parents are the most important teacher a child can have, and it is vital that when you see your child growing frustrated or overwhelmed by their classwork or homework, you should talk with them and discuss their fears.
How a Tutor Can Help
A good tutor can become an effective partner in your child’s academic achievement. A tutor should be well-educated in the subject matter that is causing your child problems and be someone your child feels comfortable with. Tutors can reassure your child and help build a sense of confidence while showing them how to apply new learning techniques.
Do Your Research
The first place to start the search is at the child’s school. Inquire if the teacher or guidance office has a list of available tutors or tutoring facilities in your area. Costs for tutoring can vary, although many schools can assist with finding someone in your budget. Some schools offer peer-tutoring programs, where your child is placed with an older student. If your child’s academic struggles can be related to a developmental issue, your pediatrician/primary care physician should also be consulted.
One of the next factors to take into consideration is determining the frequency, length and type of tutoring session that will benefit your child most. “One-to-one instruction has its advantages, as a student has 100 percent of the tutor’s attention as well as the ability of the tutor to personalize your child’s program in more depth,” says Bryan Redditt, owner and manager of the Huntington Learning Center in Little Rock.
Or, would your child thrive in a group setting, which allows him to see that there are other students who have the same challenges? Redditt explains that there is a common misconception that “all students in the group will work on the same material.” With a well-run group tutoring program, Redditt states that although students will share an instructor, each student should “be working independently on areas where he/she is not proficient. We strive to teach them to work independently within the group so that they won’t always depend on their parents during homework time.”
Next, there are several questions that parents who are interviewing a prospective tutor or tutoring facility should ask. Does the program or person focus on developing learning skills? Is the program designed or will the person help with specific concepts, and most importantly, what are the long term goals of the program or tutor, and do they have the same goals in mind for your child as you do? Some tutors, particular tutoring facilities, give children a complete skills evaluation to identify precisely where they struggle.
Family Involvement is Key
Continue to evaluate your child’s tutor, even after the sessions begin. It is important for parents to ask their children if they are comfortable with their new instructors and whether or not they understand the lessons clearly. Be sure to monitor your child’s grades as well. Praising your child throughout this process will go a long way. “Parents should be encouraging and making sure that their kids have all the tools they need to succeed: study routines, school supplies and an educational team to help,” says Redditt.
How to Win the Homework Wars
1. Establish a specific time and place in the home to start homework. Don’t put it off until later or when you get the chance.
2. Take breaks during long homework sessions. If your child is working for more than half an hour, have a snack and take 10 minutes to talk about their day.
3. Make homework fun. Learning is not confined to the school. It occurs everywhere. Trying to relate your child’s lessons to the real world may be the link to a better understanding of the lesson.
4. Stay involved and offer positive feedback. Parents should always check over homework together with their child when it has been completed. If there were any difficulties, discuss them together. Praise your children for their accomplishments.