To Tutor or not to Tutor, its Kindergarten ?

What is a tutor? A tutor is a person that gives additional, special or basic instruction to students on a specific topic. The purpose of a tutor is to help or assist students in a particular skill so that they can become independent thinkers and no longer need a tutor. So do kindergartners need tutors?

I have had several parents ask me this questions and I always share with them my point of view. First and foremost their are several factors that determine if a tutor will be beneficial for your student. The most important one is, do the parents have the time and patience? We live in a fast pace world and many parents work long hours so if time and patience from the parents is an issue then obviously a tutor may be beneficial. Knowing this in advance helps eliminate frustration from both the parent and student. Having a tutor can provide a safe, nurturing learning environment that the student will need.

Next, what specifically is the student struggling with in the classroom? Is it academics, social or behavior issues that is causing the student to lag behind. This question is important because if its behavior issues then how can a tutor help. If its social skills such as talking excessively or not talking at all, then a tutor probably is not the solution. Determining the cause helps get to the root of solving the problem. Many parents don't know where to start to find out this answer. To answer this questions parents need to build a relationship with the teacher and stay updated on their child's classroom performance. Check classwork, homework and any progress reports that come home continuously. Once you have an understanding of what is causing your child to struggle in the classroom it becomes easier to develop a learning plan specifically for your child.

Last, you know what your child's needs are NOW WHAT? Parents be honest with yourself. Based on the first two questions is this something you can assist your child with in a positive learning environment on your own. If so I strongly suggest you skip the tutor and take the time to work with your child on the skills they need to be successful in kindergarten. There are millions of resources available. Take the time to investigate and find information that focuses on the skills(standard) your child needs. On the other hand, this may be too much for a parent; than a tutor would work great. The first place to check is your child's school . Sometimes they offer tutoring at school. This is a great place to start especially since they would be familiar with your child and their academic abilities. However, if you need to hire one, choose a reliable tutor, the same way you would for a nanny. After choosing a tutor you would need to provide to them the information discussed in question 2, what is your student struggling with in the classroom. Share with the tutor the specific skills or standards your child is struggling with, along with any concerns that you may have. With this information the tutor will be able to make a specific learning plan for your individual child.

In conclusion, whether you decide to tutor or not be a vigilant parent in your child's learning adventure. I consider kindergarten an adventure because your child will be exploring into unknown territory. It is our duty as teachers and parents to provide them with the skills and support to successful conquer this experience.

If you need any support through tutoring or parent coaching subscribe or send me an email. Happy Learning! #kindergardensmarts #kindergartenparents