Getting a Tutor for Your Child, Part 2: How to Communicate with Your Child’s Tutor
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You’ve sought out a tutor for your child. How do you make the most of your investment in tutoring? Great communication! Don’t go into tutoring without a plan. Here is a list of things you should consider on how best to communicate with your child’s tutor.
Lay out clear goals.
Why is your child coming to tutoring?
Is it to improve grades? Is it to challenge your child? Is it to fill in lost gaps of learning?
Knowing your purpose for tutoring will help in making goals so that the tutor stays focused in accomplishing those goals.
Read notes the tutor makes so that you know how you can expound upon those skills at home and get your most out of tutoring.
Open up the lines of communication between the tutor and your child’s teacher.
A tutor can spend one-on-one time during a session to go over a misconception that the student had in class. Perhaps a teacher notices an area of weakness. She can send an email to you and the tutor so the tutor can help clear up any misunderstanding. The tutor can also give ideas for extra practice at home to help.
Ask how and when you can contact the tutor.
Do you only communicate via email, phone call or texts? Is there a certain day you talk to the tutor or a certain time of day during which you can contact the tutor? Different tutors will work in these extra services into their pay.
File away notes, messages, and emails from the tutor for meetings.
During a parent teacher conference, these notes can come in handy. Perhaps your child has an I.E.P (Individualized Education Plan) if enrolled in the Special Ed. Program. Open communication between all individuals helping the child will encourage success.
All of my tutoring students have kept a binder of loose leaf paper that is dated with specific notes on observations, progress, and recommendations.
Can you think of anything else? Leave a comment below!
Remember, YOU are your child’s most influential teacher.