Various Types of Tutoring Services: Which Is Right for Your Child?

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Even smart, motivated kids may have times where they need a little extra help when it comes to their academic pursuits. And while most parents can provide for this need in the beginning, offering assistance with math, science, history, and language at least through grade school, some adults may lose the ability to help their kids with homework as the subject matter becomes more advanced. Plus, most working parents already have a pretty full plate between the time constraints imposed by holding a job, running a household, and seeing to the many necessities of their family. So they simply may not have much time left over to sit and do homework with their kids. Luckily, there are professionals out there who can provide your children with the extra attention and instruction they need. And there are several types of tutors to consider.

For starters, you may want to look into tutoring programs that are sponsored by your child’s school or community organizations. These generally take place after school and they are meant to help underprivileged children get the help they need when they can’t afford paid tutoring services. In most cases the tutors are volunteers, and they may be teachers, advanced older students, or even college students seeking experience or simply looking to give something back to their community. In any case, your child may be eligible for free services in your area. And while you might balk at instruction that comes from other students, learning from a peer may be more helpful in some cases than learning from a teacher.

Of course, if you have the money to pay for a tutor there are many more options. For example, you could seek out learning centers in your area, such as Sylvan or a similar program. These businesses hire only trained professionals and they are set up to help students in targeted subjects (rather than simply doing their daily homework with them). Generally, your child will attend once a week (or on some other regular schedule, depending on their need) and they will learn to understand concepts and information at their grade level. So if your student is struggling with math, for example, the tutors won’t just correct his homework, they’ll ensure that he understands the principles and teach him tips and tricks that he may not
have learned in school.
But you might not want to run your child hither and yon for tutoring, in which case there are a couple of options for supplemental education in the home. Many teachers offer their services as tutors in order to earn some extra income, but you may also find high-school or college students, or even professional tutors that will come to your home and give your child the personal academic instruction he clearly needs. Whether you’re looking for Los Angeles, Chicago, or Washington DC language tutors, math tutors, or science tutors, your best bet is to check with your school board to see who offers these services; or consider contacting a local college campus if that doesn’t pan out. You may even want to look online. There are several reputable services that offer set fees (and in some cases unlimited usage), vetted professionals, and all the subjects your child might need help with. TutorVista, e-Tutor, and Tutor.com are just a couple that you may want to check out.