Tips for getting your child on board with tutoring
For families
If you’re struggling to get your child excited about tutoring, you’re not alone. Children resist tutoring for all kinds of reasons. Maybe it seems boring, or they don’t want to be judged for getting extra help. After a long day, the thought of spending more time on schoolwork might be intimidating. And it’s hard to focus when it seems like everyone else is having fun with friends, watching TV, or playing video games.
Tutoring may not seem like the best choice for spending their time from a young person’s perspective, but adults know it can be a critical resource for long-term academic success.
So, what can parents and caregivers do to get their children committed to—and even excited about—tutoring? It might sound impossible, but here are some tips and tools to change the way your child sees tutoring.
Children are often overwhelmed between school, sports, and other activities. Adding tutoring to the mix can be a lot for learners and the adults who care for them. Try to schedule tutoring at times that aren’t already rushed. For example, don’t squeeze sessions in between when school ends and music lessons begin.
Children need some time to breathe between activities, and so do their parents and caregivers. If the adults are signaling that they’re overwhelmed trying to get from one activity to another, children will feel the same.
Find a time to schedule tutoring so simply making it to sessions isn’t a hurdle. Ideally, students have time to clear their minds and prepare for sessions before they begin.
One way to do this is through seeking online tutoring. There’s no need to drive to a tutoring site: the sessions can take place anywhere you have an internet connection. Most importantly, it’s easier to schedule tutoring sessions at a time that works for you and your family when these sessions are online.
Those who care for children know: No matter how long it actually takes, kids will think any nonpreferred activity will take “fooor-ever.”
When discussing tutoring with your child, frame it as a bite-sized lesson designed to support them as they continue learning at school. Limit how long sessions last to under an hour, so they aren’t actually a large time commitment. Communicate with the tutor about how the child is managing the time. If an hour feels too long, work together to shorten the time of the session, build in breaks, or add a fun game at the end.
Tutoring is a powerful way to strengthen comprehension, reiterate what’s learned in the classroom, and boost a child’s confidence. These things can be accomplished in a way that is fun and engaging so that rather than resist their tutoring sessions, your child will look forward to them.
When you find a tutoring program for your child, make sure it’s flexible and customizable to their needs, and that tutors are experienced in working with children. Tutors know their students aren’t always excited about the fact that they’re getting “help” outside of the classroom. They also know it’s important for students to be committed to focusing and working during that time.
An expert tutor will learn about your child to connect with them and motivate them. You can let your tutor know about your child’s interests and goals; the best ones will seek this information out themselves. When tutoring sessions are one-on-one or in a small group, the sessions can be even more personalized.
Maybe your tutor will take two minutes at the start of each session to catch up about the latest episode of your child’s favorite series. Or they’ll use your child’s favorite characters and themes as part of math equations and word problems. And when it comes to reading enrichment, your tutor can draw on your child’s interests to choose passages and stories to read during sessions.
Studies suggest that when you set goals for your students and recognize their achievement, you help pave the way for academic success. Work with your child and their tutor to define goals for the time they spend together.
Keeping track of these goals doesn’t need to be a big lift. Write them down somewhere visible and accessible, like on a whiteboard, in a notebook, on a computer, or on a tablet. Ask your tutor and your child’s teachers to keep you updated on their progress toward their goals; the more supporters there are on your child’s team, the better.
Not only can this help your child understand planning, but it will also give them something to look forward to when you pair the accomplishment of their goals with a small reward—anything from a special treat to extra screentime.
It’s also important to verbally recognize your child’s success and efforts along the way; sometimes, that can even better than a tangible reward when goals are finally met. Celebrating the progress they make, in whatever form it takes, can help your child see the value of tutoring as part of their learning journey.
Tutoring doesn’t have to be a dreaded activity for your child—and, by extension, for you. In fact, you might even be surprised at how engaged and interested your child can be with the right program and tutor.
To learn more about getting connected with an experienced tutor who can help your child build the skills and confidence for long-term success, visit Remind Tutoring.
