How to get the most out of Tuition: A Parent’s Guide

Subject matter? Check! Number of sessions you have in mind? Check! Tutor? Check! Surely your child should be achieving top grades by now right? If only it were that easy!

Simply hiring a tutor isn’t always enough to ensure the best outcomes, but our handy guide will help you navigate how to get the most out of your child’s tutoring experience.

Choose the right time that works for your child

Timing is everything when it comes to tutoring. Scheduling lessons straight after your child comes home can be counterproductive, if they are already drained from a full day of school. Try to pick a time when they are alert and ready to learn; it’s the same logic as why a Maths class after PE might not be the best idea!

This could mean avoiding late evening sessions or slotting tutoring on weekends or even early mornings before school if they’re a younger learner. Having said that, university and college aged students can study effectively even up to 9:30pm according to one study!

A refreshed mind, whatever that may look like for your child, is far more receptive to learning and you’ll notice far better focus and retention. If in doubt, speak to your child to gather their insight and work around that!

Create a connected and comfortable space

In another blog, I’ve spoken about the importance of an optimal study space. Before each tutoring session, ensure that your home has a designated, quiet area free from distractions so that your child can be attentive to their tutor, whether they are having online or in-person lessons. A good chair, proper lighting and a clutter-free desk all significantly contribute to maximum concentration!

Keep communication open

Tutoring is at its most effective when it’s a three-way collaboration between you, your child and the tutor. At Titanium Tutors, we offer a reporting system where our tutors feedback what they’ve taught and how your child has progressed after every lesson.

Regularly reviewing tutor reports and discussing long-term and short-term goals with the tutor, ensures that everyone is on the same page and helps your child see tuition as a supportive experience.  Effective feedback helps everyone reflect on the child’s learning and, so that necessary adjustments can be actioned to ensure consistent progress. In fact, this can increase your child’s motivation, self-efficacy, and determination whilst reducing states of learned helplessness. 

One size doesn’t always fit all in tuition

Speak to your child’s tutor regularly to identify any new challenges. This might mean shifting focus to another subject, increasing the frequency of sessions, or even incorporating other interactive tools in the lesson to see what sticks like flashcards or games.

On the other hand, if you feel your child’s tutor isn’t offering quite the right approach to maximise your child’s learning retention, then don’t be afraid to switch it up! Sometimes, as children grow, so too do their learning needs or learning goals.

Finding a new tutor can be daunting, but our team can help you find just the right tutor who can tailor their approach to suit your child’s unique learning style.

Stay involved without being a helicopter parent

As a caveat, whilst it’s important to be supportive, avoid being overly involved! Resist the urge to hover during the session or telling the tutor what to do: like dictating exactly how the tutor should teach a certain topic or constantly changing goals.

Remember – you’ve hired the tutor for a reason. Trust the tutor’s expertise and encourage your child’s learning, without micromanaging; remind your child about homework set in tutoring lessons, for instance, but let them take ownership of their own learning.  In fact, one study has shown that helicopter parenting negatively affects students' learning behaviours like self-regulated learning and can exacerbate procrastination.

Focus on encouraging your child to revise what was covered in the tutoring sessions independently and reinforce skills through consistent practice in between lessons. If they struggled with a task during the session and didn’t flag this with the tutor then and there, encourage your child to make a note and ask for help in the next session to keep them accountable.

Ready to see the difference quality tuition can make? At Titanium Tutors, we provide expert tutors who can help your child master tricky subjects, prepare for exams, or build their confidence. Contact us today to find out more!