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September 26, 2008
Kids need extra help
Sometimes eating fish heads just isn't enough.
ADAM GELMON
With the new Jewish year beginning at roughly the same time as the new school year, Rosh Hashanah is always accompanied by slight apprehension. This is especially true for kids who, for whatever reason, are falling behind and find themselves in need of assistance.
A longtime parent recently commented to me that, "teaching your own children can take years off your life." Admittedly, he was actually talking about teaching his daughters how to drive. Nonetheless, I've heard countless parents speak of endlessly frustrating times around the kitchen table tackling English papers and algebraic equations. In an effort to give their kids an academic boost, not to mention help keep the peace at home, an increasing number of parents are looking to out-of-school tutoring services.
The out-of-school tutoring marketplace has exploded over the past decade and, with all of the choices out there, it can be daunting to find the one that is the best fit. Whether you choose an after-school learning centre or a private tutor, you should first have an idea of what you need and what is out there.
Some students learn better in small groups, while others have more success when given more individual attention. Some students may be at the point in their development where they will gain from an approach that emphasizes rote memorization, while others will be turned off by this method. You also have to consider cost, location and program availability, as well as your and your child's schedule.
When it comes to extra-school support, most parents go in one of two ways: private tutors who meet in your home or another agreed upon location, or a learning centre, which is essentially small classrooms that provide instruction in a specific topic.
Private tutors can be more expensive than an after-school class, but your child may benefit from the one-on-one attention. Of course, it is important to find a tutor who is qualified, but almost equally important is the tutor's teaching style. After two or three sessions, you and your child should have a good idea if the tutor's style is in sync with your child's needs and ways of learning.
It's helpful to be clear with your child's tutor about what you are looking for. You may actually want to get more specific than, "Help with homework and math." Give the tutor some examples of recent tests and the last report card, so that they can get a clearer picture about your child's specific needs.
After-school learning centres can provide a variety of classes across the core curricular subjects. Beyond math, reading and writing, some also provide specialty classes on more general topics, such as test preparation and the development of organizational skills.
Although they provide educational services, these are still businesses. As the market swells, these tutoring centres often use advertising designed to separate them from the rest. It can be challenging, but it's important look through the marketing and trademark names to get to the important question: Will my child get the educational service they need to become more successful? Don't be afraid to ask specifics about the programs, teaching methods and classroom environment.
Whether you choose a private tutor or learning centre, it will probably only be around Chanukah that you see many results. This amount of time will allow your child to settle into the tutoring method and will also allow you to compare report card marks and comments from the previous term or year.
It's also helpful to let your child's classroom teacher know about the out-of-school support. The teacher will surely have some insight as to the type of help your child needs. Your child's classroom teacher will also be able to let you know whether or not the out-of-school support is actually translating into more in-class success.
Not all students will benefit from, or need, extra tutoring in subjects that they are already learning. If time is limited – and it often is for many active kids – you may want to re-evaluate either the need for extra support or your child's extracurricular schedule.
Some things to know when shopping for tutoring services are:
• The areas in which your child needs support.
• The type of learning environment that is best for your child.
• The amount of time and money that you want to spend.
Some questions to ask when looking for a tutor/learning agency:
• What experience and training do the tutors/instructors have?
• How does the school communicate with parents?
• How often will parents hear from the school?
• How many students are in a session/class?
• What are the teaching methods?
• How often do they set and evaluate goals with the students?
Armed with this important information, you can be on the way to ensuring that 5769 is a successful year.
Adam Gelmon is a freelance writer and a teacher at Vancouver Talmud Torah.
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