Building a strong foundation requires time and dedication – something which is especially true of children who may face plenty of pressures related to school work, sports activities and friendships that could compromise their self-esteem.
The primary tutoring can be immensely powerful when conducted effectively; when delivered effectively, it can become an enjoyable extra-curricular activity that encourages positive and healthy change in children’s lives.
Boosting Confidence
Tutoring allows pupils to work at their own pace and be challenged at a level appropriate to them rather than trying to keep up with everyone in class. Furthermore, it helps identify knowledge gaps to ensure students are ready for GCSEs and beyond.
Students often become anxious and self-conscious when needing assistance in school, but tutoring can provide confidence boosting support and provide the tools to succeed. Plus, this form of executive functioning training will benefit them both now and later in life!
One to one and small group tutoring offer pupils an ideal environment in which to explore, ask questions, note-taking, make mistakes and learn without fear or pressure from traditional classrooms. This creates a foundation of academic understanding as well as an ongoing passion for education that will be with them throughout their lives.
Unlocking a Love of Learning
Children benefit greatly when they find a tutor they admire and can relate to, providing another positive role model who can encourage learning as something positive in their lives. A good tutor should encourage children even when the going gets tough and accept their unique learning styles.
A good tutor understands that some children need extra assistance to keep up with the work their teachers assign them, while also being able to support more advanced learners – whether that be by introducing more difficult math problems or teaching how to write more efficiently.
Primary school tutoring should become part of your child’s weekly schedule rather than feel like an additional task or burden. Finding an individual tutor rather than using generic worksheets or computer programs as the way forward will create greater satisfaction among your children.
Addressing Gaps in Knowledge
Tuition services range from helping with homework to preparation for tests such as the 11 Plus or SATs. Tuition can give students who may be struggling in certain subjects an extra edge to succeed academically and gain confidence as they strive to catch up with peers; giving them access to tools necessary for success in class.
Teachers often find it challenging to provide personalized support in classes of 30 students, so tutoring – particularly small group and one to one sessions – provides pupils the chance to pose their queries or make mistakes in an environment with low stakes learning that doesn’t involve their peers.
Tutoring can be an extremely efficient means of filling gaps identified through diagnostic assessment, making it an invaluable intervention for underperforming pupils who qualify for the Pupil Premium. According to The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), high dose tutoring offers the greatest academic benefit and that schools use qualified teachers who deliver lessons consistently across time to ensure consistent instruction and foster strong relationships with their pupils.
Developing a Strong Sense of Self-Esteem
Children benefit greatly from cultivating a positive self-image and sense of worth in themselves, which allows them to face challenges more confidently. But cultivating self-esteem requires more than compliments alone – young school-age children require active engagement in challenging, rewarding, and entertaining activities in order to foster their sense of worthiness and resilience.
Negative attitudes towards school and learning can quickly disillusion children who are having difficulties academically, particularly if they believe there must be something wrong with them when in reality they simply require more time or explanations.
Tutoring provides students with the time, space and attention needed to form more positive views of themselves and their academic ability – particularly beneficial for disadvantaged pupils. Schools can support the creation of tutoring programs by accessing data that shows their impact on students’ progress – including Mission Zero reports, session reports and end of programme checks like Mission Checkpoint.