How Do You Know if Your Child Needs a Tutor?

The common misconception about tutors is that you only need one if your child is struggling. But I tutor lots of kids for a variety of reasons. But I have some educational advice for the parents out there. Let's explore some common signs that your child may need a little extra support from a tutor.

YOUR CHILD IS APPLYING TO A SPECIAL PROGRAM OR SCHOOL

Is your child seeking to join honors classes for next school year? Or, maybe they are applying to a specialty magnet or private school that focuses on the arts, STEM, or an international curriculum. If there are a large number of applicants, how do you help your child stand out from the crowd?

First, it's good to know what the criteria for acceptance are. If your child will need to write an application essay, submit excellent grades in particular subjects, or take a specific standardized test, it is a good idea to contact a tutor to be sure your child's application finds its way to the top of the stack. 

YOUR CHILD HAS ATTENTION ISSUES AND NEEDS EXTRA SUPPORT

There are so many issues that can inhibit a child's ability to maintain focus in the classroom. Some of these include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), anxiety, and depression, just to name a few. And even when a child with one (or more) of these difficulties receives all of the proper instructional accommodations and is trying their very best, gaps in learning can unfortunately occur. 

As a mother of two children with attention issues myself, I know what a godsend the right one-to-one tutor can be. The structure and rigid behavioral expectations of the classroom are overwhelming for kids like mine, and the learning can get lost. When your child's tutor is flexible and offers an array of materials and methods tailored to their abilities and needs, it is a true game-changer. An online learning environment based on

encouragement and acceptance reinforces the skills and concepts your child is learning at school, fills in learning gaps, and boosts their confidence. 

YOUR CHILD IS CAPABLE OF LEARNING MORE ADVANCED MATERIAL

It's a story as old as the public education system itself. Your child is bright, hardworking, and earns good grades. But are you concerned that your child is only learning the basics, and the teacher isn't delving into more advanced skills and topics that your child will need to succeed?

Oftentimes -- especially in classrooms with larger class sizes -- teachers focus a majority of their time helping a significant number of underachieving students learn the basics. This doesn't leave much time in the school day to help high achieving students realize their learning potential. Or perhaps an honors curriculum just doesn't exist at your child's school. If either of these scenarios sounds familiar, it's probably time to hire a tutor to help your child be the best student they can be.

YOUR CHILD IS STRUGGLING

This sign may seem obvious. But if your child isn't achieving the scores you would like, is complaining about not understanding the material, or you notice that your child just isn't performing a particular skill as well as they should, don't wait until your child is in serious academic danger. Seek out help from a tutor the instant you notice trouble to avoid your child from falling behind. 

We all want what's best for our children, and hiring a qualified tutor may be just the thing to help yours be the best they can be! Better yet, book a trial session with me to see how your child could benefit from extra academic support in reading, writing, or test preparation. Learn more about my services or book a private, online trial tutoring session at Heathers-Tutor-Zone.com.