Many children need a little bit of extra help with their studies – after all, it’s hard for teachers to meet every child’s needs in a busy classroom. Having 1:1 support from a dedicated tutor can help boost children’s confidence in their abilities and give them time to overcome any areas they’re struggling with or boost their learning in topics they’re good at and enjoy. But how do you know if your child needs a tutor? Here, a private school in Surrey explores some of the signs to look out for.
They’re worried about particular subjects
If your child expresses anxiety about certain subjects, and seems to fear them, it may be that they need a little extra support in that area. Listen out for any negative mentions of subjects and use that opportunity to question your child (in a gentle way) about how they feel about it. Ask open questions that invite a full response and give your child the chance to express how they feel without any judgment from you. Then ask your child if they would like a bit of extra help in that subject. Offering them additional support will increase their confidence in the classroom as they’ll be able to overcome any obstacles away from the pressure of the school environment.
Lower grades
If your child is usually academically capable but suddenly starts struggling in a certain subject, this is a good sign they’re struggling. This is often noticeable once children move up a year and the learning content becomes more complex. It may highlight gaps in their foundational knowledge that need to be addressed before they can progress any further. Similarly, if your child consistently struggles with a particular subject, now might be the time to get them extra support before things get worse and they lose their confidence altogether.
Surpassing the curriculum
Tutors don’t just support children who are struggling academically – they can also help children who are gifted in a particular area to expand on their knowledge and go deeper into a subject (sometimes in preparation for entrance exams or competitions). If your child has shown an aptitude for a specific subject, giving them the opportunity to explore it further with 1:1 support will help maintain their passion for it and allow them to see what they’re capable of.
Getting a tutor for your child to either help them overcome specific struggles or explore their potential shows how much you care about their education, and that you’re dedicated to helping them succeed.
