Successful students often have parents who are involved in school programmes and carefully monitor their child's progress. Children who read well in the early grades are more successful in later years; those who fall behind rarely catch up with their classmates. As parents, you want to support and help your child attain good grades and strong academic skills. At times, this may mean finding a tutor to help your child.
What are signs that my child may need a tutor?
Parents may consider using a tutor for a child who is struggling academically and in need of remediation to prevent academic problems, to supplement instruction at school, or to prepare for school/college exams.
First, obtain information from your child's teacher by setting up a meeting to discuss skill areas that may require extra instruction or enhancement. Teachers are often able to pinpoint a child's academic strengths and weaknesses and to recommend procedures and/or materials that may be helpful when working with the child.
In making your decision about whether tutoring is needed, it is important to try to get an understanding of whether your child needs more practice opportunities versus more specialised instruction in order to learn the subject matter. This distinction may be helpful when weighing available options and making a decision regarding the best services for your child.
Questions to ask
Is doing homework a constant battle?
Is your child consistently earning low grades and receiving negative progress reports?
Is your child reading below grade level? Does your child read with fluency and comprehension (that is, the capacity to read text accurately and quickly while understanding and remembering the key information )?
Is your child able to communicate effectively?
Is your child experiencing difficulty with subject area concepts?
Is your child able to plan and organise academic material by him/herself?
Criteria for selecting a tutor
Tutor Doctor can take the pain out of finding the right tutor. Tutor Doctor tutors undergo a thorough vetting process and hold qualifications in the subjects they teach. All academic subjects are catered for and Tutor Doctor tutors work with students of all ages, from primary school right through second and third level.
The Tutor Doctor service begins with a free, no obligation consultation during which the needs of the student are assessed. As well as determining the problem areas, the Tutor Doctor will assess learning styles, personality type and your expectations from the Tutor.
What should you expect from a tutor?
Knowledge of and experience with individualised approaches of instruction
Coordination between the tutoring and the classroom program
Realistic and appropriate goals and estimated timelines for reaching these goals
A regular report on the child’s progress
A professional handling of all aspects of the tutoring experience
Demonstrated gains in skills and abilities targeted through tutoring
Hiring a tutor to provide additional instruction to your child can be a significant contribution to your child's education.
One-to-one instruction, well-designed intervention, provided as a supplement to regular classroom instruction, is considered to be a most effective means of increasing student achievement.
Tutoring interventions have been shown to be beneficial in helping children overcome academic hurdles as well as in assisting them in developing organisational strategies, social skills, and confidence. This, in turn, promotes positive self-esteem and gives your child the necessary tools for successful school achievement.
To find out more about how Tutor Doctor can help you or your child, contact Carmel O’Brien on 087 9679596, by email on [email protected] or log on to www.onetoonehometuition.ie
