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If you have a child who struggles in school, there are most likely many emotions that you feel at any given moment. From concern to frustration or fear to happiness, there is no denying that our contentment is closely linked to the well-being of our children.
Add in a child who experiences learning difficulties, and all bets on our emotional well-being are off. I would even venture to say that the most common emotion when it comes to our children who struggle is fear. More specifically fear for their future. It is one that has kept me awake many nights.
One option that you may have been referred to, considered, or even followed through with is tutoring. This can be a big decision with both an emotional and financial impact. So how do you know if tutoring is the right option for your child, and how do you even go about finding the best fit? And in today’s technological world, what is the best format to consider for your child? Virtual, in-person/one-on-one, or a hybrid model of meeting?
Lucky for us, there are some great resources out there to help lead the way. I recently came across an article authored by Halina Goetz and posted on the Chapman University website, where the author detailed how to choose a good and effective tutor. Some qualities she suggests to look for when choosing a tutor include:
- The tutor has professional training
- Is enthusiastic and likes the subject they are teaching
- Has an open mind and a willingness to accept the child and their level of abilities
- Has empathy or an ability to feel what your child is feeling
- Has an even disposition or an ability to be gentle and patient
Goetz also explains that it is important to keep in mind that you are hiring a tutor not a “homework machine.” This is a great piece of advice. I think we too often focus on the need to help our child move forward with their classwork and forget that it is likely a lack of skill preventing work completion. Let the tutor help build the skill, not just apply a bandage.
Lastly, Goetz suggests making certain that the tutor is procedure-oriented not answer-oriented. A great tutor will know that he or she needs to work from the student’s level of understanding and ensure that the student has an understanding of the basic concepts before moving forward.
Understood.org is another source with many suggestions on how to select the best tutoring option for your student and family. From private tutoring to tutoring software, this article on the pros and cons of tutoring provides details and additional resources for your tutoring search. And, as always, Springer School and Center is available to help with resources and making connections with local tutors in the Cincinnati area. Give us a call!
Blogger Lisa Bruns, M.Ed., Special Education, shares her expertise of students with learning disabilities. As a special educator, she has expert knowledge of interventions and accommodations that students may need to succeed in and out of the classroom. If you have questions, please contact Center Director Lisa Bruns at .
