Some parents ask: why get expensive and time-consuming tutoring when we can do it ourselves? But anyone who has tried to teach their own children at home will empathise. It can be difficult and frustrating even if parents have the knowledge and skills to do it well. To save family relationships, it can be well worth hiring a tutor. Tuition can certainly be the answer for some students who need extra help in a certain subject and who may find the pace of school lessons a little too much.
However, you could explore the possibility of your son receiving extra maths support at his school. Meet with his teacher to ascertain his level of struggle and key areas of weakness. From class assessments and test scores, the teacher may be able to identify what resources the school might employ. Even if extra support is not possible, this information will be useful in helping him move forward.
One of the problems is that extra lessons can be even more overwhelming for children who struggle at school and have to work doubly hard to keep up with their peers. Although some parents opt for tutoring, think about it carefully and avoid feeling pressured by the decisions of others around you. Don't rush into such a commitment as it could lead to over-scheduling of academic activities at the expense of your son's happiness.
Talk to your son first and gauge his reaction. Would he go along to a tutor willingly or would he begrudge the time spent on extra maths sessions? Perhaps a few trial lessons might help to see if it works for him or not. In the end, it has to be the right thing for the child.
If you opt for a tutor, do your research as the quality varies widely. Good teaching is far more than having good subject knowledge. Ideally, the tutor can build a good rapport with the children and make sessions interesting, stimulating and fun. Chat to possible tutors to ascertain their levels of expertise and enthusiasm.
