If your child is about to start tutoring for the first time, you might be wondering how you can best prepare them for their sessions. The tutor/tutoring company may send you some helpful information and preparation advice will vary depending on whether sessions are taking place in your home or at a tuition centre. However, if you are wondering what to expect before you sign up for sessions, we have listed our top tips below!
Education Boutique’s Top Tips for tutoring:
- Ask to meet your child’s tutor before sessions commence; even if only via a video call. This will put you and your child at ease before the first session and your child will be more comfortable being able to put a face to a name. It is also an opportunity to make sure you ‘gel’ well together and that you and the tutor have an understanding of your child’s strengths, needs and interests.
- Tutoring can take place before school, after school (or during school hours if it is for the purpose of home education), regardless of what time of day it is ensure your child has had a healthy snack and a glass of water before their session.
- Toilet beforehand! As little interruption as possible during a session is beneficial to both the student and the tutor. Of course, a tutor should never stop a child from having a toilet break if required, but best to make the most out of the time you are paying for. **Note: depending on the age of the child and the length of the session, Education Boutique tutors may recommend a snack break, for example, some children may have a session that lasts for over an hour – this is a long time for anyone to sit still! We always stop after a period of time for a stretch and a toilet break. If it were a two-hour session and depending on the time of day (and if parents are in agreement) we would also suggest a having a healthy snack (provided by parents).
- For face to face tutoring in the home environment, a question we often get asked is where in the house is best for tutoring sessions to take place? This is completely up to you. We recommend a space in the house where there is as little distraction and disruption as possible during the time the tutoring takes place. As long as there is a table/worktop with two chairs/stools we can get to work!
- Have the necessary stationary setup in the workspace. Before your first session ask the tutor what your child will need for sessions. Pencil, pens, a smudge free eraser, a ruler, highlighters and a lined workbook is a great start. Equipment requirements may vary depending on the subject being tutored, tutors will usually bring their own resources along too.
- Children should have a glass/bottle of water with them at their work station.
We hope you have found these tips useful. For further advise or to connect with an Education Boutique tutor, you can phone us on: 0203 968 9292 or visit our website: www.educationboutique.co.uk .
Brooke McClure, Lead Resource Teacher at Education Boutique