It can be too easy for child and parent alike to get swept up in the pressure of achieving straight As. However, it takes more than good grades and head knowledge to set a child up for success in adult life.
To give your child the best chance of not only surviving but thriving in academia—and eventually their chosen career—a tutor not only needs to be able to teach but also to build the student’s confidence and self-esteem.
Here are a few ways hiring a tutor for your child will help give them the confidence boost they need to succeed.
Validation
Some subjects can be extremely hard for those whose skills and interests lie in other areas, or those who have learning disabilities.
Many children are self-critical when they see they aren’t achieving the same high grades as their peers, leading to low self-esteem. Sometimes a child just needs to know that they’re not alone in their struggles.
Whether you hire an online tutor or an in-person tutor, they will meet your child where they’re at and identify the barriers they’re hitting. They can validate that those barriers exist for other students as well, and then offer practical ways to overcome them.
Once your child learns that they can rise to the challenge, their confidence will start to improve.
Supportive Mentor Relationship
Many teachers don’t have the time to pay attention to each individual student in order to ensure their success. There’s only so much they can do in a class environment where so many others demand their help.
A personal tutor will dedicate much of the time they have with your child to establishing a relationship built on trust, encouragement, and mentorship. Your child may feel left behind by their teacher and the rest of the class when they move at a faster pace than your child is ready for.
With a mentor who focuses their attention on them, your child will be reminded of their importance and worth.
Encouragement of Unique Gifts
Since teachers in a classroom setting don’t get as much time to get to know each individual student, they can often overlook the special gifts certain children possess.
A tutor will get to know your child well enough to identify the ways they can improve, but also to find out what strengths they have.
For example, maybe your child struggles with mathematics, but they’re an avid reader with a gift for writing. The tutor can spend time explaining math in a way that makes sense, as well as some time encouraging your child to read and write, hone their gifts, and excel in language arts.
Many students are so hard on themselves for not being up to par with their peers in some subjects that they overlook the areas where they excel. A tutor will remind them that these subjects are just as important as others and may turn out to lead to a fitting career path in the long run.
When a mentor figure acknowledges and appreciates a student’s gifts and passions, the child’s self-worth soars.
Constructive Criticism
Many students have a hard time taking criticism from their teachers, and even from their own parents.
Some teachers also use harsh language or don’t know how their phasing is affecting their students. Many children look up to their teachers and can be crushed when they receive criticism they weren’t expecting. This is especially true when they don’t receive any extra instruction about how to fix the issues.
A tutor will get to know your child well enough that they can deliver more helpful and constructive criticism in a way that will build your child up instead of tearing them down.
They can take the time with your child to help them improve by pointing out the areas where they are already successful to strike a balance between praise and helpful advice.
Positive Reinforcement
One of the most effective catalysts for improvement is positive reinforcement. When your child gets a good grade—or even just a better grade than the last one they received—they should be receiving positive reinforcement.
You may already reward your child with something they’ve been looking forward to, and that’s a great start. However, as a parent, you’ve likely learned that even if you’re supportive, children begin to look for affirmation from others quickly, including their peers and mentors.
A tutor will provide another reliable and safe source of validation for your child through verbal encouragement, celebration, and simple acknowledgement.
They will also be there to celebrate the small victories, like solving a particularly hard question on a homework assignment. Even the small moments of positive reinforcement add up and help build your child’s confidence.
The positive reinforcement a tutor gives will encourage your student to keep up the good work and feel good about themselves and what they’ve achieved.
Reinforcing Structure and Self-Discipline
If you’re having a hard time getting your child to concentrate and stick to a routine, the good news is that a tutor will be able to help reinforce the rules. They’ll be there to watch and instruct your child during homework and study hours so they can stay focused.
A tutor will also teach your student helpful tips for studying, note-taking, and time-management that they’ll be able to add to their toolbelt. Eventually, your child will learn to take the tools they’ve been given to overcome challenges, instilling self-discipline.
Once your child is empowered with the understanding that they have everything they need to be successful, their self-confidence will follow.
Support and Identification of Learning Disabilities
If your child has been diagnosed with a learning disability, this is even more reason to hire a tutor who specializes in that area. Your child will have unique needs that you and their teacher may not be able to handle on your own.
Children who struggle with learning disabilities often feel alone or left behind by their peers. They may need a more deliberate and customized approach to learning. Once a tutor steps in and creates a plan for helping your child absorb the knowledge in a way that’s more effective for them, they’ll start to catch up.
On the other hand, if your child is not diagnosed with a learning disability but you’re wondering whether they might have one, an experienced tutor may be able to offer some insight. They won’t be able to diagnose your child, but—with your permission—they can submit a report to your child’s doctor or psychologist that may help pinpoint whether a learning disability is present.
If your child receives a diagnosis, you’ll know how to support them better and they’ll be able to better understand the barriers they’re running into. A licensed therapist and/or doctor can also connect you with resources or suggest medications to help you and your child cope.
Once your child understands themselves better and gets the support they need, their self-perception will improve as they discover new ways to retain knowledge.
It’s clear that tutors help set students up for both academic and personal success. If your child is struggling, hiring a tutor may be the perfect solution. Connect with local tutors in your area.
