Telling your child that you’re signing them up for tutoring isn’t always met with excitement and enthusiasm, especially when your child is older. Having these difficult conversations and gaining your child’s buy in can be essential to making tutoring a more positive and rewarding experience. Whether your child is struggling in a specific class or with their general note taking or study skills, here are a few things to keep in mind when recommending tutoring.

Reassure them tutoring is not a punishment. They’re not getting extra help because they did anything wrong or because they’re not smart enough. Explain to them that everyone learns in their own way, and everyone has their own strengths. They might excel in language arts but have a harder time keeping up in math. Having the information presented to them in a different way, in a different setting, and from a different person can make a difference in their understanding.

Talk about concerns. Share changes that you have seen in their grades, their performance, or simply their attitude toward specific classes. Do they have multiple missing assignments from one course? Do their test scores not reflect the amount of time and effort you see them putting into studying and homework? Let them know that you want to help them improve and boost their confidence.

Ask whether they have concerns as well. Are there areas where they see themselves struggling? Are there classes they dread because they just don’t get it, even though they are trying? Are they frustrated with how much time they spend studying but then not seeing that reflected in their score? Let them know that tutoring can help them overcome these challenges.

Highlight the benefits. Some students have a misperception of what tutoring is all about. It can help bridge gaps in understanding, reinforce key concepts, expand on existing knowledge, and equip students with critical skills for studying, note taking, organization, test prep, and more. Here are a few other positives:

  • One-on-one support. They have the tutor’s full attention and are not competing with other students in their class. They can ask whatever questions they want and get help tailored to their unique needs and abilities. They don’t have to feel embarrassed about not knowing something or getting an answer wrong because it is a judgment-free zone.
  • More practice. Students can work at their own pace and don’t have to feel rushed to keep up with their peers. They can get additional practice on skills they may have difficulty with until they feel more confident and competent.
  • Customized instruction. Your child doesn’t have to relearn everything from class. If they have already mastered a skill, they don’t need to spend more time on it. The focus is on specific areas where they are having trouble.

Meet the tutor. Ask if you can set up a meet and greet with the tutor before beginning sessions. Let your child see who they will be working with and become more familiar with them. This can help to ease their anxiety and apprehension because they will see a friendly, welcoming face, not the drill sergeant they may have pictured in their mind. Tutoring can be a fun and engaging experience, not just sitting down doing worksheet after worksheet.

Set your child up for greater success by partnering with a tutor who can effectively meet their needs and help them reach their goals. Contact Crafting Scholars today to learn more about our programs and services.