Daily Tips for Families

Today's Tip for Families

11-29-2023

Five Steps Can Help You Tutor Your Child

Teachers work hard to make classes productive for their students. But there are times when children need extra help at home with schoolwork. Your child may need your help with reading skills, math and science concepts or vocabulary words.

To help your child tackle challenging material, try a five-step process that works:

Talk with the teacher about ways you can best help your child. Ask the teacher to suggest appropriate materials to use, such as websites or worksheets.
Tell your child you are going to practice certain skills together at home. If you say “practice,” your child will relax. “I already know this—I’m just practicing.”
Make a plan of action. Knowing what you’re going to do before you begin is the best way to be successful. For example, you might:
- Sit with your child in a quiet place.
- Explain what you want your child to do. (“Let’s read this story.” “Start here.” “Read this problem and give me the answer.”)
- Praise correct responses.
- For incorrect responses, tell the answer and then ask your child to repeat it. Then, ask the question or problem again. For reading aloud, have your child go back to the beginning of the sentence and reread it.
- End on a pleasant note.
Stay positive if your child makes a mistake. Lecturing and scolding are surefire motivation killers.
Keep records. Make a chart so you can keep track of the progress your child is making. Stop your tutoring sessions after 10 or 15 minutes.

Brought to you by:

Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD
Federal Programs

[School Success Ideas for Families]