5 Signs Your Child Needs a Math Tutor
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As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. Thanks to this superpower, you may notice signs that something is off when it comes to their motivation for doing math homework. Or maybe they’re experiencing math anxiety about an upcoming test or quiz.
Regardless of the issue, there may be subtle signs that indicate your learner needs an online math tutor.
1. Understanding Declining Grades and Test Scores
Parents generally have a good idea about what kinds of grades their children achieve at school. While all parents want their kids to do as well as possible, there is always a challenging subject or two that might affect your child’s overall grades and performance. Looking at your child’s report card is one way to assess their academic performance, but that’s just one piece of the overall picture.
As a parent, one thing you can do is pay attention to all grades, not just test scores and report cards. If your child brings home a math assignment with a low score, it could mean they had an off day. However, consecutive days or weeks of low math scores could point to a larger issue. Each child has a learning style that resonates the most with them, so perhaps your student is having difficulty with how the material is being presented, or the problem could be the material itself.
2. Struggling With Basic Math Concepts
Once you notice a dip in your child’s grades, take a look at where their struggles are. An overall decline in all subjects can indicate that something is impacting your child’s learning. However, a slip in their math grades is a more specific issue that points to struggles in this subject specifically.
Sit down with your child when it’s time to do their math homework and take stock of how they approach it. One sign that they could benefit from math tutoring is struggling with basic math concepts that they should have mastered by this point. Having a good grasp of the foundational concepts is essential to having a strong base that they can build upon as they learn new topics and material. Without this base, your child’s math difficulties will continue to mount as they progress throughout the school year.
Taking an active role in your child’s learning can involve helping them with homework, engaging in activities like flashcards, or simply being there to offer encouragement. By doing so, you can help zero in on your child’s difficulties and decide if it’s something that you can help with in the long term, or if it’s better to hire a tutor who can help strengthen their math skills.
3. Frequent Homework Frustrations
Another telltale sign that it’s time for an online math tutor is noticing the mounting frustration around homework. This could present itself in different forms.
Students who are really struggling may also avoid doing homework completely, as it can cause feelings of frustration and negativity. Ask your child if they have math homework, and then sit down with them when they get started. As you watch your child, notice if they are leaving questions blank. If they are, observe if it’s because they feel unmotivated, or if they don’t understand how to complete the math problem.
4. Observing Lack of Confidence and Motivation
Children who lack understanding in a subject area may start to show a decrease in confidence and motivation over time as their struggles persist. This can manifest in ways such as procrastinating on homework or studying, or even changes in attitude and behavior when it’s time to hit the books.
As a parent, it can hurt to see your child’s confidence in themselves dip because of their learning struggles. During a tutoring session, a tutor works on building a friendly, personal relationship with your child. As an outsider who is not their parent, it can be easier to rebuild your child’s accountability and confidence, since they aren’t an authority figure in their daily lives, such as a parent or school math teacher.
5. Falling Behind Peers in Math Class
While you generally don’t want to compare your child to others, this is one instance where it’s not a bad thing. Your child’s teacher might notice that they are not progressing at the same pace as their peers when it comes to mastering new math concepts. Perhaps you notice it yourself when talking to other parents in the class.
As a parent, you want to be in contact with your child’s school to see if they’re falling behind or need special assistance. Teaming up with your child’s teacher means that you get crucial insight into how they are performing in math class, not just during homework time. If the teacher notices that they’re struggling, it may be time to seek some outside help.
Adding all these things together suggests that your child needs a high-quality math instructor who can address their needs with care and a positive attitude. All that’s left to know is how to find a math tutor who can best meet your child’s needs.
How Can a Math Tutor Help?
If any of these signs seem familiar to you, it’s time to start looking for a math tutor for your child. At Alexander Tutoring, our expert math and physics tutors utilize the latest methods and provide personalized attention to each student, meeting them where they are and helping them achieve their learning goals. Our math tutors employ a variety of teaching styles and take the time to get to know each student, enabling them to identify their strengths and areas for improvement.
Hiring a school-year or summer math tutor has several benefits for your learner. Math tutors are prepared and ready to address a variety of topics within the subject, as well as different methodologies, meaning parents don’t need to stress about not being experts themselves.
Tutors also provide students with personalized attention, adapting to their individual pace and learning style. This will help them catch up and, in many cases, even help them get ahead.
Reach out to us today to learn more about Alexander Tutoring and how we can help your student increase their skills and spark a newfound enthusiasm for math!
