Tutoring your kids can help them learn and grow, but it can also be a bonding experience between you and your child. It’s a great way to get to know them better and make memories together.
How to Tutor a Child at Home
Here are five things you as a parent can do to effectively tutor your child at home.
Understand Your Kid’s Course Outline
The first step to tutor a child at home is to understand the course outline. You can find this on your kid’s school website, or you can ask the teacher for a copy of it. If you’re unsure about anything, ask the teacher for clarification.
The next step is to read over the course outline and familiarize yourself with what topics are covered in each class. This will help you identify areas where your child may need extra help, as well as give you an idea of what topics are most important for each grade level.
Now that you know what needs to be covered, it’s time to start planning out how best to approach each subject area with your child. To do this, ask yourself:
- What kind of support have they had so far?
- What kinds of resources have they been using?
- What kind of challenges do they face when learning new material?
Ask Them Which Subjects and Topics They Find Most Difficult
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that exam scores plummeted in math and reading after the COVID-19 pandemic. The most likely scenario is that students find these topics hard. Of course, not all kids are struggling with the same subjects in school.
One of the best ways you can tutor your kids is by engaging them in an active learning process. This means that instead of just reading over their shoulder and pointing out mistakes, you should ask them which subjects and topics they find most difficult.
For example, if your child has trouble with math, ask them which parts are hardest for them, the concepts or the calculations. Then, ask them how they would like to approach those areas with more practice.
Once you’ve identified what needs more attention, decide on a plan for tackling those topics with your child.
Self-Study
Parents need to learn about the subjects and topics themselves before tutoring their kids at home. That way, the lessons can be tailored to each individual child’s needs.
Suppose your kid is struggling with chemistry. They are struggling with organic chemistry in particular and are often failing to grasp the fundamental concepts of inorganic chemistry as well. Thus, you decide to step in and help them with their coursework.
Sadly, their course materials are not enough for you to properly understand the subject or the topics. You need to dive into the chemical formulas and structures and study various chemical properties. At the same time, you need to learn the basics first, which aren’t included in your child’s course materials.
In such situations, free online chemistry courses are the best way to self-study. Find yourself the best general chemistry course and check out their online coursework. A good online chemistry course will cover all the topics from basic level to advanced levels. That will allow you to fully grasp all the necessary concepts before you go on to tutor your kid.
According to Global Market Insights, the global e-learning market value crossed $315 billion in 2021. This market is expanding rapidly, and more and more people are seeing the impact e-learning is having on society. Thus, it’s only logical that you, too, consider giving it a try.
Prepare a Daily Study Routine
Parents need to prepare a daily study routine for their kids. This will help them understand that learning can be enjoyable. It will also help them make the most of their time and thus achieve better grades in school.
Schedule a period each day for your child to study. Then, set up a study area where your child can focus on their studies without any distractions or interruptions. Also, have an area where they can get fresh air and sunshine during breaks from studying if possible.
Lastly, create a checklist of tasks that need to be done before starting each school subject so that nothing gets overlooked and forgotten.
Test Them from Time to Time
Mothers need to ensure that the kids are learning and not just memorizing the answers. This can be achieved by testing them from time to time, especially during the initial stages of tutoring. It will help you assess whether they have understood what they have been taught or if they need more practice.
An EdWeek Research Center survey suggests that educators are worried about declining test scores. As a parent, you have certain responsibilities here as well. If you give your kids the right attention and see how they respond through these at-home tests, you can surely play your part in trying to help them improve their scores.
Once you’ve done all this, you can rest assured that your kid’s academics are being well looked after at home. You may not be a professional tutor, but as long as you maintain these five things, you can surely tutor your kids efficiently.
