Choose the right tutor that fits your child’s individual needs and maximizes their learning. As a general rule, the right tutor should provide reading assessments, personalized plans, one-on-one instructions, progress monitoring, and regular feedback. Depending on their needs your child might need a specific type of tutoring service that fits their personality.
For example, suppose you have a super active struggling reader. In that case, A tutoring service like ours here at Tutorfit456 may be a good choice because we offer a unique approach to tutoring called Academic Interval Training™, which combines short bouts of athletic movement and training with focused wellness practices and more prolonged bouts of reading and discussion.
This research-based method has been shown to optimize student mindsets by improving alertness, attention, and motivation while spurring the development of new nerve cells related to memory and learning.
While this might be the right choice for children with excessive energy, all tutoring services do have things in common. So when choosing a tutor for your child, here are some things to consider:
- Look for a knowledgeable and experienced tutor in the subject your child needs help with. This may seem obvious, but it’s worth emphasizing. At Tutorfit456, our tutors have degrees or certifications in education and have experience working with students of your child’s age and skill level.
- Find a tutor to connect with your child and create a positive learning environment. A good tutor should be patient, empathetic, and able to explain complex concepts in a way that is accessible to your child. They should also be able to adapt their teaching style to match your child’s learning style and needs.
- Consider the logistics of tutoring, such as scheduling and cost. At Tutorfit456, we offer flexible scheduling options for various needs and preferences. We also provide transparent pricing options based on the number of days your child will attend weekly tutoring sessions.
- Look for a tutoring approach that incorporates physical and mental wellness practices. For example, our Academic Interval Training™ combines short bouts of athletic movement and training with focused wellness practices and more prolonged bouts of reading and discussion. This approach has been shown to improve overall fitness and mental health, in addition to improving reading skills and increasing self-confidence.
- Check for expected educational outcomes. At Tutorfit456, we are committed to improving reading fluency, vocabulary, and NWEA reading scores and boosting self-confidence in reading.
Choosing the right tutor for your child can be an unfamiliar task, but with careful consideration of the above factors, you can make an informed decision. As you continue to research what tutor is best for your child, keep in mind the minimum supports a tutor should provide are reading assessments, personalized plans, one-on-one instructions, progress monitoring, and regular feedback.
Reading Assessments
Reading assessments are essential for reading tutors to evaluate students’ reading levels and identify their strengths and weaknesses. Assessments can be standardized or through informal observation. Once the tutor has identified the areas where the student needs additional support, they can tailor their instruction to their specific needs. This may involve using various techniques, such as providing explicit instruction in decoding, fluency, and comprehension strategies or incorporating engaging reading materials that match the student’s interests and reading level. The tutor should also monitor the student’s progress through ongoing assessments and adjust their instruction to ensure they progress steadily toward their reading goals.
Personalized Plan
A personalized plan for struggling students could include multi-sensory tools to teach phonic skills. Reading experts commonly use multi-sensory tools like sandpaper letters, magnetic letters, and alphabet beads to engage students in hands-on activities that make learning fun. Tactile letter cards and color-coded phoneme tiles can help students feel the texture of different letters and sounds. Writing in shaving cream can also provide a sensory experience.
To further personalize reading supports, tutors can use phonics screeners to identify struggling readers, repeat research-based lessons, and allocate additional time for individual needs. Incorporating phonemic awareness, phonics lessons, decoding, and encoding practice, vocabulary and comprehension components, and handwriting can help struggling readers develop their skills. Reading aloud and discussing books with children is also crucial for their development.
One-on-One Instruction
One-on-one instruction provides a safe and supportive environment. It allows tutors to provide personalized attention and targeted education tailored to students’ needs. In a one-on-one setting, students can receive the support and encouragement they need to overcome their challenges and progress toward their reading goals. Additionally, the safe and supportive environment of one-on-one instruction can help boost a struggling reader’s confidence and motivation, leading to improved reading skills and more opportunities for success in academic and personal pursuits.
Monitor Progress
Monitoring progress ensures the student stays on track toward their goals. It allows tutors to check student progress frequently and make necessary changes to instruction to help struggling students catch up. Using tools like universal screeners and fluency passages every 2-3 weeks can help track student progress toward end-of-year goals. Progress monitoring helps match students to appropriate instruction and group settings. Additionally, progress monitoring helps show intervention progress in meetings and ensures effective instruction for special education students. Finally, sharing progress updates with the team helps students reach their goals.
,
Give Regular Feedback
Regular feedback keeps all stakeholders informed and engaged in the tutoring process. It helps keep all stakeholders, including the student, parents, and tutor, informed and engaged in the learning process. Feedback can be positive and constructive and should be given frequently to provide ongoing support and motivation. Regular feedback helps students track their progress toward their goals, identify areas for improvement, and stay engaged and motivated in the learning process. Parents and other stakeholders can also use feedback to monitor their child’s progress and adjust their support. Regular feedback is crucial for building a solid collaborative learning environment supporting the student’s success.
,
Choosing the right tutor for your child can be overwhelming, but it is essential for their academic and personal growth. When selecting a tutor, it is crucial to consider their qualifications, teaching style, scheduling, and cost. Furthermore, a good tutor should provide reading assessments, personalized plans, one-on-one instructions, progress monitoring, and regular feedback.
,
Depending on your child’s needs, Tutorfit456 and our Academic Interval Training™ approach, which combines physical and mental wellness practices with focused reading and discussion sessions, might be a good fit for you.
,
By taking the time to research and select a suitable tutor, parents can help their children succeed academically and develop essential life skills that will serve them well into adulthood.
