Math is a challenging subject for most people. And when it comes to children, this is even further exasperated. For this reason, if your child has been struggling with their math assignments, a tutor may be a great way to get them some help. Read on to learn more about how to find an in-house or online math tutor in Calgary that fits the specific needs and goals of your child.
To find the right math tutor for your child, you should think about their specific learning needs and goals. For example, what are they struggling with? Are there particular topics they're having a hard time with that require extra help? What is their learning style? Are they working towards a particular math grade or class level, or are you looking for something more informal to help them with homework questions? You'll want to match their personality and needs to the personality of the tutor.
Once you've figured out how much help your child needs in each area of math, look for tutors who provide those services. Also, think about the approach that is best for your child. Are they more interested in one on one tutoring sessions? Would online classes be better suited to their learning style and schedule?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you will be in a much better position to move on to the next step, which is…
When searching for an in-house or online math tutor -- vetting them is key. This can be done in a multitude of ways. For example, you can check references and contact each candidate directly, if possible. By speaking to previous clients and asking about how the tutor in question has worked with them in the past, you’ll quickly figure out if your child would be a good fit for that particular tutor.
Qualifying the tutors in this way is an important part of the hiring process -- you'll want to make sure each one is genuinely interested in helping students learn, has the necessary qualifications, and can meet your child's specific needs. You don't want to hire someone who isn't qualified or interested in your child, so make sure you're thorough here.
Additionally, before deciding on a tutor, watch their interactions with students. Are they good with kids? Do they use an effective learning style? Are they patient and understanding? Do they know how to break down difficult problems? Are they organized and punctual? These are all qualities you'll want to look for in a good tutor.
Remember that some options are free or very affordable. Check your local community education centres or school district sites to see if there is any financial help available for hiring a math tutor. You'd be surprised by the quality of tutors that are available at no cost to you. Sometimes it's due to the fact that they're just looking for experience, and other times, it could be related to volunteer work. Whatever the case may be, this is a valuable resource that is most certainly worth your consideration.
If you decide to do things on your own at home, be sure to add a fun element if possible. For example, get a group of friends together and challenge each other to math competitions -- this will make it more interesting and fun for your child to learn the material. They'll also feel more comfortable asking questions when they're in a safe place where they can just be themselves.
If you make math tutoring a regular activity, it will be easier for your child to learn the material. Research has shown that studying math in short blocks of time is more effective than one big study session -- try creating a schedule and sticking to it.
Finally, keep reasonable expectations about what they'll be able to do after the tutoring session. Your child might not retain all of the material immediately, so it's important to give them lots of time and opportunities to practice the concepts on their own. However, if they're not retaining the material after a week or so, you'll have to have another math tutor come over to help them.
This will help speed up the process. Being patient is definitely a necessity, however, you still want to see that your child is at least making some progress and improvements over a reasonable period of time.
When hiring a child's in-house or online math tutor in Calgary, it's important to take your time and do some research. Follow these tips for finding an experienced, qualified tutor who will support your child, and before you know it, they'll be doing math like a pro!
