How to Know If Children Need Tutoring
It’s not always easy to detect and accept the fact that children need tutoring. Moreover, children may not always need help for the same reasons as others.
Usually, we look at negative academic results to decide to take children to remedial classes. But we need to think about other important factors, such as children’s strengths and talents, their academic load (sometimes excessive), extracurricular and non-academic activities, as well as their obligations at home, etc.
What is tutoring?
In this case, we’re referring to tutoring as a complementary activity that reviews the knowledge acquired in the classroom. The purpose is deepening their understanding of specific subjects taught in these classes.
A class with fewer students is always more productive, as the teacher can better focus on the needs of each individual. Hence, this extra attention helps children to memorize and internalize the subject material better, while increasing their academic progress.
However, we always understand tutoring as an additional tool for improvement – a complementary activity in subjects where the child needs help reviewing content. But it’s also important to take advantage of tutoring in subjects in which the child already excels. That’s because it’s essential that they cultivate their talents and potential in everything they do well.
So then, tutoring helps children to solve their questions in a particular subject. It also helps them to understand the syllabus, internalize study techniques, and improve their academic progress.
How to identify when children need tutoring
Let’s find out when it’s necessary for your child to receive tutoring, as it’s not always easy to detect. First, we opt for the signs of difficulty that you can see in children.
Once the school year progresses, as parents and guardians, we have to look at the child’s evolution. We must observe if they’re able to turn in their homework on time, if they comply with their homework, if they concentrate on studying, and if they pass all their tests.
Before reaching the point where a child feels incapable regarding a subject and becomes frustrated or thinks they don’t have the ability to pass, we must know that:
- There’s no minimum age for tutoring. If the child isn’t very good at a subject or isn’t up to par, they can receive help – be it elementary, secondary, or university level.
- Boredom in class can become a problem. Children can be easily distracted and not pay attention to the explanations. For this reason, it’s helpful for them to receive more personalized reinforcement classes.
- They may need to work on their study habits. If they don’t know how to study, they won’t have the knowledge to prepare for exams. What’s more, the academic pressure may be excessive and prevent them from keeping their own pace.
Recommendations for choosing tutoring classes
At this point, let’s see what’s advisable in the case that you realize that your child needs tutoring. First of all, remember to consult a professional or their teacher to find out if it’s really best for the child to have the help of a private teacher or to go to an academy.
Once we’re fully aware that the child needs tutoring, it would be good to talk to them directly. In this way, you’ll know what’s happening to them, what they feel, and why they’re not reaching the level the school expects. Maybe the problem isn’t a lack of ability, but a lack of motivation, personal problems, issues that require a psychologist, etc.
Parents should always be the intermediaries between the classroom teachers and the private tutoring classes. This prevents an overload of homework and confusion.
Also, never forget the social and personal factors that affect children. Problems can arise both inside and outside the classroom. That’s why we have to be very attentive to any alteration we see.
Finally, in case your child receives tutoring because they excel in a certain area, there’ll be no problem. But, if the opposite is true, don’t let them see it as something negative, because you may end up causing more harm than good.
