Tutoring: It's All About (Learning) Style

A student’s learning style is as unique as his or her personality. While some students bolster their academic skills simply by reading and taking practice tests, other students thrive in a more hands-on environment. Just as a great classroom teacher takes individual learning styles into consideration, so too should a great tutor.

Tutoring is invaluable, because it provides the one-on-one, personalized attention that overworked students in overcrowded schools rarely receive. But tutoring is not a one-size-fits-all service. If a student spends his or her tutoring session fidgeting and watching the clock, the opportunity for true educational enrichment is missed.

When you hire a tutor, ask to spend at least 30 minutes discussing your child’s personal learning style. Consider these two significant issues when talking with your new tutor.

• Attention Span: How well does your child stay on-task? Of course, parents of students with ADD/ADHD will find this question absolutely critical. A student does not have to be diagnosed ADD/ADHD, though, to have trouble paying attention. If your child’s tutoring sessions take place at the end of the school day, he or she may feel “all out of” attention. After spending hours in the classroom, some students find it difficult to remain fully engaged with a tutor. If your schedule allows, consider breaking tutoring sessions into 30-minute chunks—or do a longer tutoring session on the weekend. You may also want to include a snack break in your child’s tutoring session; not only will this break give your child a chance to relax for a few minutes, but it will give the tutor a chance to interact with you and your child on a more casual level.  

• Preferred Learning Method: Which activities really interest your child? Maybe your fourth-grader loves reading about scientific discoveries. Or, maybe your tenth-grader is a varsity tennis player. Your child may feel most engaged in music class—or perhaps he or she has a passion for art. A good tutor takes a student’s interests into consideration when developing a tutoring session’s framework. Let your new tutor know a little bit about your child’s interests and hobbies. That way, a tutor can bring a great science story to a reading lesson, or develop a writing activity that asks about a favorite sport. A math lesson can center on “the math of music,” and a history lesson can relate to famous artists throughout the ages. There are many methods of personalization—and that type of individualized attention inspires students to succeed.

If your child is in need of a tutor, find the best solution for his or her individual learning style.