Tutoring Time - Big Y® World Class Market®

Does Your Child Need a Tutor?
In the past, hiring a tutor was usually reserved for kids who were struggling to catch up with their peers or who were in danger of failing a particular
subject. But that has certainly changed in recent years. Academic expectations are getting higher and higher for young-er and younger kids. The pressure to excel has increased as competition for everything from college admission to scholarships has tightened. And concerned parents are increasingly turning to tutors as educational necessities.

So, when is it time for you to hire a tutor? Is it something you should do for an already-successful student to simply give him or her an edge over their peers? Is it something you should do to help a child who shows promise in a particular subject — or who needs help preparing for the SAT? Or is it something you should reserve for a student whose skills aren’t developing as quickly as you’d hoped?

While a little extra help is almost always good for a student, there isn’t an easy answer. To determine whether you should hire a tutor for your child, first ask yourself a few key questions:

ARE MY CHILD’S GRADES OK?
Obviously, a child who has low or failing grades will certainly benefit from extra, one-on-one attention. But occasionally, hiring a tutor for a child who is not only succeeding but excelling can really help him or her stay one step ahead.

IS MY CHILD COMPLETING ASSIGNMENTS — OR MAKING EXCUSES?
If your child frequently ignores homework, shrugs off your concerns with excuses, or if you are receiving notes from his or her teacher, there’s a problem. Chances are he or she is struggling or unhappy in class, and would benefit from some extra help.

ARE MY CHILD’S SKILLS DEVELOPING AT THE APPROPRIATE RATE?
If you are worried that your child’s academic skills are starting to fall behind, early intervention could help bring him or her up to speed.

CAN I HELP MY CHILD MYSELF?
Are you too time-crunched to sit down for a couple of hours every night to help your child work through assignments? Has it been so long since you’ve had geometry that you’re absolutely baffled? For parents who simply don’t have the time or the ability to sit down and help their kids with homework, a private tutor can be a big help.

HOW BIG IS MY CHILD’S CLASSROOM?
Is your child getting lost in the shuffle? If he or she is one of 35 in the class, chances are your child is not getting as much individual attention as you’d like. A tutor would certainly provide the one-on-one learning experience that can be so beneficial.
WHAT ABOUT SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES?
Is your teen trying to cram for the SAT? Do you have a budding spelling-bee champ? Sometimes a tutor can provide that extra push.

Deciding to hire a tutor is only half the battle. The other half is finding one! Start by determining what kind of extra help would most benefit your child. Then, consider the following:

Start your search with your child’s school. Talk to the teachers and the principal. Schools often keep a list of qualified tutors who are familiar with the district and its curriculum. They may even know some retired teachers or substitutes who continue to tutor. Many school districts also have programs where they pair high-achieving high school students with younger, struggling students for tutoring help. You can also contact your local community college to see if there are any education students who are looking to tutor. While some tutoring options, particularly organized classes, can be costly, many choices are very affordable, if not free.

Once you have a few names, you’ll need to do a bit of interviewing to make sure the tutor you choose is the right one for your child. Ask about experience, degrees and references. Talk about teaching style and expectations. Bring your child to the meeting to see if he or she and the tutor get along, and listen closely to how the tutor explains things to your child.

When it’s time to start, ask the tutor to work with your child for at least an hour, two or three times a week. The tutor should not only work with your child, but should keep you abreast of any progress or setbacks. He or she should be able to communicate with your child’s teacher when necessary and setup individual lesson plans for your child’s study time. With most kids, you should start seeing some improvement in a few months’ time, so don’t expect immediate results. However, if you feel like the tutor isn’t the right fit for your child, don’t wait that long to air your concerns — and find a new tutor, if necessary.

It’s also important to remember that just because a tutor is helping your child with her homework, you can’t check out completely! Talk to the teacher and the tutor for ideas on how you can help keep your child’s interest in learning alive. Make sure your home has a quiet place to study and do homework. Check every day to make sure that homework is done, and keep yourself available for help or questions. Staying involved and engaged will reinforce all of the hard work your child is doing — and will help ensure your child’s continuing academic success.

Schools often keep a list of qualified tutors who are familiar with the district and its curriculum.

Does your child need a little homework help?
Try BigY’s Homework Helpline, available Monday through Thursday from 4-7 p.m.

A staff of certified teachers is always on the line to help.
Just call 1-800-866-BigY or visit www.bigy.com/homework.