We are just on the cusp of tipping over into the second half of the year! The first half of the year is always such a mad rush as we begin to settle into routines, start new adventures and learn how things are going to pan out for us and our children.
If you are like me and are a parent and looking at getting your child’s learning back on track by providing them support, tutoring is probably something that may benefit you. The number of students working with tutors is growing because parents are seeing the benefits and how evident and real the relationships are with the tutor and student. One of the main reasons this is because tutors fill a different role than teachers and parents. One of the unique traits of a tutor / student relationships are the personal connections that are ever present and take place in the background while learning occurs.
We don’t need to feel lost or as though there is no where to turn when we see our own children struggling with a learning behaviour or learning area. These things can be overturned, and a comeback can definitely take place.
Historically, people have been trying to understand learning for over 2000 years. Learning theorists have carried out a debate on how people learn that began at least as far back as the Greek philosophers (Plato and his student Aristotle). The debates that have occurred through the ages reoccur today in a variety of viewpoints about the purposes of education and about how to encourage learning.
One important note that I agree with that was theorised by Jean Piaget (1896 – 1980) is that students construct knowledge based on their experiences, and that how they do so is related to their biological, physical, and mental stage of development. Furthermore, Vygotsky (1896 – 1934)
Expanded on Piaget’s theory and included that the idea that all learning occurs in a cultural context and involves social interactions. He emphasized the role that culture and language play in developing students’ thinking and the ways in which teachers and peers assist learners in developing new ideas and skills.
What this suggests is that there a combination of experience, cultural context and social interaction that occur when learning takes place. Therefore, from a tutoring standpoint this is where a child’s learning can most definitely make a comeback. Why? Because it is personalised first and foremost, so our tutors have the opportunity to completely customise our learning approach to each individual without compromising anything else.
The beauty of tutoring that I have always felt are the effects that personalised and 1:1 support can truly have. It is transformational and evident in those experiences of learning where if the opportunity is appropriately given, a child can in fact make a comeback with their learning.
Sometimes we could be putting pressure on ourselves, the schools, or perhaps even on our own child and in some instances force for our own agenda to overtake the core unsolved issues. This is not anyone’s fault but sometimes simply just a human reaction when things don’t seem to be working out or if we feel that we aren’t in control of desired outcomes. Perhaps our child is falling behind in their communication skills or ability to understand basic Maths for their age so we think having “a talk” will do the trick.
Perhaps it will or perhaps further support is required. This support can come in the form of a private tutor where we can look at the current situation, understand who they are as a person and work towards creating a learning plan that suits the child’s interests, struggle points and learning goals.
When a tutor listens and spends time building a relationship with their student they can:
· Truly personalise the learning
· Develop connections to the student's interests
· Teach to the student's strengths
· Minimise the student's weaknesses
Successful tutors listen and communicate early and often with parents and teachers and that is important to us because that is where we can work with parents and students in developing and moving in the needle in each phase of the learning.
I hope this encourages you and hope that allows you to feel more drawn to “private tutoring” and giving it a go. It’s a great investment with massive results. If you would like to enquire or do a trial with us we would love to help. Send us a message alternatively feel free to check out some of our blog posts or digital learning resources that are available in our online store.
