How to Find a Tutor That is Right for Your Child and You!

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Guiding our kids with certain activities, for the most part is pretty simple.  Things like enrolling them in school comes somewhat naturally to us. Yes, there are factors to consider like the schools location, private vs public, and of course the cost of it all. But this is something that everyone goes through and there are abundant resources to help along the way.  It is the same way with sports and many other common extracurricular activities. There is no shortage of ballet class adverts floating around.  At least a few of your child’s friends are already on a little league team which also makes the searching process easier.  The resources are readily available.  When it comes to something that is not necessarily a requirement or isn’t something that is being done in your direct network, like sports or dance, it can become a little bit more difficult to navigate.  Tutoring, while being an extremely beneficial and rewarding addition to your child’s schooling, can unfortunately fall into this category.  It is important not to let this discourage you. Especially in this time of uncertainty and inconsistency, some extra educational padding will provide your child with some comfort and support.  So the questions become where do I find a tutor and more importantly, how do I find the right tutor?

How to Find a Tutor

Don’t stress! Finding the right tutor doesn’t have to be overly complicated.  With the right strategies and research, you will be able to find someone who is fun and engaging on top of being someone you can feel confident with in terms of the safety and well being of your child. Let’s get into it!

1. Ask yourself why?

This is a question for both you and your child to consider. Ask yourself why your child might need a tutor to begin with.  Do they need some more structure in their after-school routine? Do they need extra support to further their understanding of what they are learning in school?  Or are they interested in a new topic that is not covered in the schools curriculum? Once you are able to sort through these questions, you will be better equipped to find a tutor who is actually a good fit for your child.  The next step is to also consider what your child is looking for.  Maybe they have a clear idea of what they are trying to achieve. Of course they might also push back on the idea of a tutor in the first place, but try to engage them in a further conversation. Discuss why you feel a tutor is necessary and try to come to some sort of understanding. 

2. Consider your options

Think about all the different types of tutoring options that are available to you.  There are so many more options than just 1-on-1 tutoring.  A tutor can also be a child’s peer, a classmate they feel comfortable with, or a small group at a learning center. There are also online tutoring options, which giving the circumstances, might be optimal.   Consider the goals of tutoring that you sorted out and narrow down what the best options for your child are.  If your child is easily distracted maybe a 1-on-1 tutoring session is better.  If the goal is to provide your child with more structure for their after-school routine, a group session might provide some nice socializing opportunities.  Once you have figured out what kind of tutoring experience you think will be the best fit you can start your search. 

3. Start by talking in your circle 

Now that you know what you want and you and your child are on the same page, talk to your network!  See if any friends, family, or colleagues have experience with a tutor that  aligns with you are looking for. Ask around for recommendations.  Though asking around for tutor recommendations might be more of a stretch than asking about sports leagues, it is a good place to start. Also do not forget to check various social media networks like facebook groups and neighborhood networks for additional resources. 

4. Go past your circle

Your tutor might not have to be local.  It is important to consider this because it opens you up to a larger pool to pick from.  Meaning, having to worry less about conflicting schedules and lack of specific specialties. With online tutoring, your options become more flexible. 

5. Identifying good and bad characteristics

Being able to identify the right characteristics in a tutor is a crucial part of choosing who you want to work with your child.  It is important to remember that it is not just about expertise. While a firm understanding of the subject is extremely important, you must consider the whole picture. It is important to consider things like personality, professionalism, and so much more when considering who will be the best match for your child and situation.  Consider how the tutor you are selecting will help you move towards the goals that you have established. A good tutor will make what they are teaching engaging for your child. They will also understand that every child learns differently and should be able to tailor their teaching style to best work with your child. 

6. Check the reputation

With anything new, but especially with someone who will be working with your child, it is important to verify the quality of the service.   Make sure that you invest the extra time to check and verify that the tutor you are choosing is the right one.  This way, you can move forward confidently and trust that your child is getting the best assistance possible. Check tutoring testimonials if they are available.  Get a reference from another parent or past employer. Do what you can to ensure that this tutor is the one for you and your child.

7. At the end of the day, this is for your child

Remember, this is for your child.  While the whole process of finding the right tutor can be tricky and at times frustrating, it is important to center yourself back to this idea. Think about how your child learns and what their needs really are. It is your job to ensure that you are providing them with the best tutoring experience. 

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About TCC

Tokyo Coding Club

We believe in the idea of awesome technology education for your children’s future. Our mission is simple, to create mind-blowing tech experiences that inspire students to create the future. Whether it’s programming their own videogame, animating their own cartoon, or building a robot, our industry professionals can help make your child’s technical and artistic dreams a reality.

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