Signs That Your Child May Need Tutoring

If your child came home from school one day and was carrying a flashing neon sign that said “I need a tutor” you would probably not have any problem understanding what it meant. Unfortunately it is never that easy. Most of the signs that your child may need a tutor are much more subtle than a flashing neon sign and you have to be very attentive to notice them. It may take the combined effort of you and his teacher to come to the conclusion that it is time to get your child some help with his school work and hire a tutor.
One of the first signs that your child may be having trouble with schoolwork and be in need of a tutor is that his grades are slipping. It could be that his grades are just plain bad and it is obvious that he is struggling. But many times it is not so obvious. His grades may not have been all that bad to begin with and have only slipped a little bit. Any downward movement in his grades should be cause for concern.
Behavioral changes in school can also be a sign that your child may be a tutor. Acting out in school can be a reaction to having trouble with his schoolwork. Children do not want to look bad in front of their friends and certainly do not want them to think that they are stupid so to cover up the fact that they are having trouble with the material they act out in class. It is a mistake to assume that when a student acts out in class that it is a disciplinary problem. More times than not it is a situation where the child needs some extra help with the learning process.
Your child hanging out with a bad social group can also be a sign that he may need a tutor. This is yet another way for him to draw attention away from the fact that he is having academic difficulty. He tries to play it off to his friends as though he is getting bad grades because he thinks it is cool to do so. A good tutor will not only be able to help your child with the academic problems that he is facing but also be a good positive role model.
When you look over your child’s notebooks do you see a lot of doodling? This could be an indication that he needs a tutor. Many children when having difficulty understanding the material that is being presented in class will simply tune it out completely and go off into their own little world. If his notebooks are full of pictures instead of notes that he has taken in class then he might be having problems understanding what is being taught.
There is no stigma attached to getting your child a tutor like there may have been when you were in school. Even the brightest students these days have tutors in order to help them achieve their full potential. If you think your child may be in need of a tutor do not be afraid to discuss the situation with his teacher. She can help you better understand the signs that your child may need a tutor and may even be able to recommend someone.