How To Find a Tutor for Your Child

Nothing frustrates a parent more than watching your child fall behind in school. Tutoring is an option to get extra help that your child may need. Many different options are available for tutoring depending on the size of the town you live in.

Larger towns will have some of the national chains (like Sylvan Learning) but many times they are also very expensive. So what are some other options for tutoring? Here are a few places you can start your search.

Ask the guidance counselor at the school where your child attends for help in finding a tutor. They should have resources both for paid tutors and perhaps even options for you to get some help for no charge. They usually have a lot of knowledge and if they don’t know, they should be able to direct you to someone that does.

Another option is to ask your friends. They may already have someone tutoring their child and if not may know someone who does.

If you have a college in your area, take a trip to the student center. Ask in the student center where people go for academic help. Usually this will be a learning center and you should be able to get some information there.

Check your local newspaper / the student newspaper in your area.

Before you decide on a tutor make sure that you do the following:

1. Ask for references.

2. Get phone numbers of current clients – at least three or four.

3. Speak with the tutor (interview them) question them on how much a tutoring session will cost, » Read more: Finding a Tutor For Your Child – It’s Easier Than You Think

All learning environments will have a safety plan and procedure manual so familiarise yourself with it so you will know what to do if a child is injured. Record keeping will be a part of the plan so make sure you give an honest and full description of what happened. This should be a ‘no blame’ and unbiased entry, signed and dated.

It is also necessary to have a first aid certificate so you will know what to do in case of injury. You may well be the first person of contact and the person who has to describe to the ambulance paramedic, parent, or head teacher what has happened, and the treatment already given, to the child.

Within Your Learning Area - Having a safe learning area is paramount when you are responsible for learners. Make classroom rules with the learners at the beginning of each year and stick to them. Make each learner aware of what the rules are by displaying them and referring to them when a rule is broken. Carry through with consequences and reassess the rules frequently to keep the learning area safe. Make sure all equipment works and is safe to be used in your learning area.

In the Playground - Children develop at different rates and their body strength and visual and auditory perception can differ greatly from each other when playing in the playground areas. Playground injuries are greatest in primary school and early childhood. Encourage learners to take care around climbing equipment and swings. Keep a close watch in these areas and assist when necessary without restricting the learner. Have equipment that is appropriate to the age and development of the learner. Don’t allow the use of skateboards and bikes in the playground where others are playing. In an early childhood area have a special place for ride on toys. Make sure children are well supervised in the playground.

Before and After School – Depending upon age all children should have a routine for coming to and leaving the learning area. You will find it very helpful to have written orders from parents on what their plan is for their child. Any changes should be emailed to you or a note sent with the child. Have a place in the child’s homework book for parents to write a message to you. » Read more: The Basics of School Safety