- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- preteenagers today articles
- preteenagers today q&a
- teenagers today articles
- teenagers today q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Reading Between the Lines
10 Signs Your Child May Need a Tutor
By Raymond J. and Eileen Huntington
From vexing mathematics problems to anxiety over a big test, most of us remember school days that were a bit more difficult than others. But some children feel as if every day propels them further into a cycle of frustration and failure.
While extra help from caring, motivated teachers can help many children regain their academic balance, others may need a program of supplemental instruction tailored to specific learning needs.
Here are 10 signs that your child may need special attention from a tutor qualified to diagnose and respond to these needs:
- Despite his or her best efforts, your child's grades are falling.
- Regardless of how long your child spends on homework, it's neither complete nor well done, which could be an indicator of weakness in a particular skill area.
- Struggling with day-to-day schoolwork, or stumbling over a series of exams or assignments, your child shows an increasing lack of confidence and motivation.
- Your child experiences extreme anxiety before tests and exams.
- Your child seems to have an intense fear of failure and criticism from peers and teachers, a fear that may lead to extreme reluctance to go to school.
- A teacher reports that your child is behaving badly or disrupting the work of others, particularly when he or she is struggling with schoolwork or having difficulty with a test.
- Your child's teacher reports that your child seems to have special difficulty in retaining and understanding lessons, which could be an indicator that your child's learning style is inconsistent with the way that the lessons are taught.
- Your child begins to use phrases such as "I'm stupid. I'll never understand this subject."
- Your child admits that he or she is simply ready to "give up." Or worse, you begin to feel that way.
- Your child's teacher or school counselor recommends a tutor. This may happen at a parent-teacher conference