by Dr. Phyllis Books, DC
Homeschooling parents have differing viewpoints when it comes to using tutors; some parents see the value, while other parents consider tutoring a crutch. Some tutors only know to teach compensations, which can be helpful while you are deciding on or refining your overall plan.
If your child has low grades, you want to address the issue immediately. But why is your child struggling with his or her schoolwork? There could be several reasons:
• She may be rebelling against learning at home or having her parents as teachers.
• He may be putting undue pressure on himself because he perceives he doesn’t learn as quickly as his peers or his siblings do.
• She may be feeling bullied face-to-face or online.
• He may be experiencing raging hormones or unbalanced brain chemistry.
If you decide to go the tutoring route, finding the right person can be time consuming. One option is a franchised learning operation, such as Sylvan, Huntington, or Kumon learning centers. These for-profit centers will have some level of standardization, which may or may not be helpful. They may not offer specific help for dyslexia, as they are typically geared toward providing or reinforcing the basic skills that your child may be lacking.
However, their student-to-teacher ratio is low, the teachers are certified, and many homeschooled children look forward to spending time with “their teacher.” It’s not for every child, but many do benefit from these programs. They also offer learning options such as computer programs, one-on-one sessions, or small group sessions. The teachers could be from anywhere in the world, which might be a benefit or a drawback.
Personally, I believe children need one-on-one, eye-to-eye, and heart-to-heart connecting. Computers are helpful of course, but they’re no substitute for human support. Tutors not only give kids the tools for academic success, but they also give them a gift far greater: encouragement and self-validation that leads to confidence.
Here are a few ideas to consider when looking at tutoring.
Tutoring Tips
• Ask for recommendations from everyone you know, and ask them probing questions. The right tutor is a blessing, while the wrong one is a disaster. Don’t hire a tutor based on just one recommendation.
• When you’ve narrowed your search, interview prospective tutors, and check references. Let your child be involved in the decision, as he or she will be the one who spends time with the tutor. If you use a franchised center, request that your child have the same tutor each session once you’ve found a good fit. Don’t be shy about asking for a different tutor if the one your child is assigned to doesn’t work out.
• Set your child up for success with smart scheduling. You want the tutoring to happen at a time your child will actually benefit from it, in a place he or she will concentrate well. Most tutors and learning centers have flexible schedules, even during the summer. Be sure to give your child a snack and some exercise time before the tutoring begins.
• Observe the tutoring occasionally. You’re looking for lots of interaction between tutor and child.
• Unfortunately, one session a week per subject probably isn’t enough. Shorter lengths of time and frequent repetition build long-term myelination and speed of transmission in the brain.
With a tutor, your child will thrive on repetition and varying the tasks. It’s not so different from learning anything and going through the drills. You just have to figure out what delivery style is best for your child, and who his or her best tutor would be.
Dr. Phyllis Books, DC, is a teacher, doctor, grandmother, and developer of Books Neural Therapy™, a natural, non-drug intervention for children with dyslexia and other learning and behavior issues. Her clients call her a combination of a neurosurgeon, a psychiatrist, and Mother Teresa. Mostly, she loves sharing what she’s learned about kids, how they learn, and how they can feel good about themselves and be successful. Support@ReversingDyslexia.com (512) 560-7888, drphyllisbooks.com and reversingdyslexia.com.
Homeschooling parents have differing viewpoints when it comes to using tutors; some parents see the value, while other parents consider tutoring a crutch. Some tutors only know to teach compensations, which can be helpful while you are deciding on or refining your overall plan.
If your child has low grades, you want to address the issue immediately. But why is your child struggling with his or her schoolwork? There could be several reasons:
• She may be rebelling against learning at home or having her parents as teachers.
• He may be putting undue pressure on himself because he perceives he doesn’t learn as quickly as his peers or his siblings do.
• She may be feeling bullied face-to-face or online.
• He may be experiencing raging hormones or unbalanced brain chemistry.
If you decide to go the tutoring route, finding the right person can be time consuming. One option is a franchised learning operation, such as Sylvan, Huntington, or Kumon learning centers. These for-profit centers will have some level of standardization, which may or may not be helpful. They may not offer specific help for dyslexia, as they are typically geared toward providing or reinforcing the basic skills that your child may be lacking.
However, their student-to-teacher ratio is low, the teachers are certified, and many homeschooled children look forward to spending time with “their teacher.” It’s not for every child, but many do benefit from these programs. They also offer learning options such as computer programs, one-on-one sessions, or small group sessions. The teachers could be from anywhere in the world, which might be a benefit or a drawback.
Personally, I believe children need one-on-one, eye-to-eye, and heart-to-heart connecting. Computers are helpful of course, but they’re no substitute for human support. Tutors not only give kids the tools for academic success, but they also give them a gift far greater: encouragement and self-validation that leads to confidence.
Here are a few ideas to consider when looking at tutoring.
Tutoring Tips
• Ask for recommendations from everyone you know, and ask them probing questions. The right tutor is a blessing, while the wrong one is a disaster. Don’t hire a tutor based on just one recommendation.
• When you’ve narrowed your search, interview prospective tutors, and check references. Let your child be involved in the decision, as he or she will be the one who spends time with the tutor. If you use a franchised center, request that your child have the same tutor each session once you’ve found a good fit. Don’t be shy about asking for a different tutor if the one your child is assigned to doesn’t work out.
• Set your child up for success with smart scheduling. You want the tutoring to happen at a time your child will actually benefit from it, in a place he or she will concentrate well. Most tutors and learning centers have flexible schedules, even during the summer. Be sure to give your child a snack and some exercise time before the tutoring begins.
• Observe the tutoring occasionally. You’re looking for lots of interaction between tutor and child.
• Unfortunately, one session a week per subject probably isn’t enough. Shorter lengths of time and frequent repetition build long-term myelination and speed of transmission in the brain.
With a tutor, your child will thrive on repetition and varying the tasks. It’s not so different from learning anything and going through the drills. You just have to figure out what delivery style is best for your child, and who his or her best tutor would be.
Dr. Phyllis Books, DC, is a teacher, doctor, grandmother, and developer of Books Neural Therapy™, a natural, non-drug intervention for children with dyslexia and other learning and behavior issues. Her clients call her a combination of a neurosurgeon, a psychiatrist, and Mother Teresa. Mostly, she loves sharing what she’s learned about kids, how they learn, and how they can feel good about themselves and be successful. Support@ReversingDyslexia.com (512) 560-7888, drphyllisbooks.com and reversingdyslexia.com.
