If your child has a learning disability, poor or declining grades, poor time management skills, or difficulty understanding his or her homework, it may be time to consider a tutor. But how do you find a good reliable tutor you can trust?
How to find a tutor
Your child’s teacher and the school administrator are a good place to start. They might be able to recommend a tutor who works with other students in the school.
Also, chances are one of your child’s friends has a tutor. So ask other parents if they know a tutor they recommend.
Online tutoring is another popular choice today. But bear in mind, it isn’t the right thing for every child. Also, do your research. Many tutoring websites receive only fair to mediocre reviews at best. The costs for online tutoring aren’t always consistent with quality.
Free tutoring
If tutoring isn’t in your budget, you still have several options.
The first place to start is with your child’s school. Some schools still offer one-on-one tutoring programs for eligible students. Many schools also offer after-school group tutoring where children stay after to work on their homework with a teacher available to assist. Also, some teachers offer after-school tutoring for their students.
If tutoring isn’t available at your child’s school, ask trusted family members, neighbors, and friends if they can help. You might be surprised to discover someone you know is very enthused to help your struggling child.
Contact your local high school and community college. Students majoring in certain subjects or teaching may be required to perform a certain number of hours tutoring. For that reason, students often offer to tutor for free.
Another option, the popular Khan Academy website offers free online video tutorials for students of all levels. Visit https://www.khanacademy.org/
What to look for in a tutor
There are several factors to consider when looking for a tutor for your child.
Is the tutor qualified? Your best bet is to look for someone with a teaching degree since tutoring requires skills not everyone possesses. For younger students, as long as the tutor has a teaching degree, specialization in the particular subject in which your child is struggling isn’t necessary. From high school and beyond though, you should look for a tutor with expertise in the particular subjects in which your child needs help.
Does the tutor have the right personality? A tutor should be patient, empathetic, positive, passionate, creative, and fun. These are important characteristics to ensure your child can learn from the tutor and walk away with self-confidence. Also, the tutor’s personality should be a good fit for your child. You want a tutor who can connect with your child and vice versa.
Is the tutor flexible? Each child has their own learning style whether it’s visual, aural, physical, verbal, logical, or any combination of these. In addition, some kids are solitary learners whereas others are social learners who enjoy learning in groups. Look for a setting and tutor that fits your child’s style.
Does the tutor have excellent references? When using an online tutoring service, you’ll often find reviews from previous clients. If you find your tutor offline or don’t see a significant number of reviews, ask for several references. Bear in mind though, the references a tutor provides might not be an entirely accurate depiction of their character and experience. So use due diligence for your child’s safety and to ensure you’re paying for quality service.
Kimberly Blaker is an author and freelance writer. Her articles have appeared in more than 250 newspapers, parenting and women’s magazines, and other publications throughout the U.S.