Many children face academic challenges at some point, and as a parent, it’s easy to feel worried or unsure how to help. The good news is that tutoring is a proactive solution that can address these struggles before they worsen.
Rather than being a last resort, tutoring can provide personalized support to get students back on track – or even help high-achieving kids move further ahead. In fact, hundreds of thousands of students who struggle with a subject are currently being tutored in the United States for a variety of reasons, from catching up on basics to simply wanting to excel.
In other words, you’re not alone, and seeking a tutor means you’re taking positive action to support your child’s education.
Below we highlight five telltale signs that your child may benefit from a tutor, and how the right tutoring approach can help them succeed.
Remember, tutoring isn’t only for kids who are falling behind – it’s also a great way to bolster confidence and foster a love of learning for any student.
Sign 1: Declining Grades & Struggles with Homework
Every parent dreads seeing a report card with slipping grades or watching homework time turn into nightly frustration. If your child’s grades are dropping or homework is becoming a constant battle of tears and confusion, it’s a key sign they may need extra support.
A sudden or continuous decline in academic performance often signals that your child is having difficulty grasping the material or keeping up with the pace of the class.
They might spend hours on assignments that should take minutes, or frequently ask for extensions on homework. These red flags suggest that gaps in understanding or study skills are holding them back.
Bringing in a tutor can make a significant difference in this situation. One-on-one attention means the tutor can pinpoint exactly where your child is struggling – whether it’s a specific math concept or general reading comprehension – and address those gaps directly.
This targeted help often leads to concrete improvements in performance. Research shows that students who receive tutoring improve their academic outcomes markedly. For example, one study found that tutored students outperformed their untutored peers in 45 out of 52 subjects and that eight out of ten students who receive tutoring get better grades.
With such evidence of improved test scores and grades, it’s clear that tutoring can help turn around declining performance. Rather than letting grades continue to slip, a tutor can help your child master the material and regain their academic footing.
Sign 2: Lack of Confidence in Learning
Has your child started saying things like “I’m just not smart” or shying away from challenging tasks? A sudden lack of confidence in their abilities is another strong indicator that a tutor could help.
Children who struggle repeatedly may begin to doubt themselves – they might become afraid to raise their hand in class, avoid doing schoolwork, or insist they “can’t” do something before even trying. This loss of confidence can create a vicious cycle: the less confident they feel, the less they engage, and the more their performance suffers.
Over time, a capable student might stop putting in effort simply because they don’t believe in themselves academically.
Tutoring can be transformative for a child’s self-esteem and attitude toward learning. Working with a tutor provides personalized learning at the student’s own pace in a patient, supportive setting. The tutor can start with concepts your child understands to build small wins, then gradually tackle tougher areas – celebrating progress at each step.
This individualized approach helps students realize they are capable of learning and improving. Education experts note that students often become more self-confident after working with a tutor.
As they see their grades improve and skills develop, they begin to feel better about themselves and their abilities. Bit by bit, tutoring rebuilds that confidence: your child learns that mistakes are just steps in the learning process, and their newfound self-belief can carry over into class participation and even other areas of life.
Sign 3: Negative Attitude Toward School
If your child constantly says they “hate school,” complains about the teacher or class, or seems disengaged from learning, it’s important to dig deeper. A chronically negative attitude toward school can be a sign that your child is feeling frustrated or overwhelmed in the classroom.
Perhaps they’re struggling to keep up and have grown discouraged, or maybe a specific subject has become a source of stress. Sometimes even high-potential students act out or check out when they’re bored or not challenged enough. A child with this mindset might refuse to talk about their day, skip assignments, or show no enthusiasm for topics that used to interest them.
A fresh approach to learning through tutoring can help turn this attitude around. Tutors provide a change of scenery (even if virtual) and a chance for your child to voice their frustrations one-on-one. More importantly, a good tutor can make learning fun and tailored to your child’s interests, reigniting their natural curiosity.
One of the big advantages of tutoring is that it helps students see progress in a low-pressure setting, which can completely change their mindset. As they start to grasp concepts that once confused them, you’ll often see their negativity fade. In fact, tutoring has been shown to improve students’ attitude toward learning – it can shift education from a “frightening chore” back to a positive, even enjoyable experience.
By reigniting that spark and showing that they can succeed, tutoring often restores a love for learning that carries back into the classroom.
Sign 4: Poor Time Management & Study Habits
Not all academic struggles are due to a specific subject – sometimes the issue is how a child approaches schoolwork. Does your child procrastinate, cram at the last minute, or seem overwhelmed by projects and tests?
Perhaps their backpack and desk are disorganized, they forget deadlines, or they don’t know how to effectively study for a quiz. These behaviors point to poor time management and weak study habits, which can seriously hamper academic progress. In fact, many students who appear to be “struggling” simply never learned important organizational skills.
For example, some kids have trouble keeping on schedule with studying and completing assignments due to weak organizational habits. Without guidance on how to plan and study, even a bright child can fall behind because they’re essentially winging it when it comes to learning.
Tutoring is not just about reviewing content – it’s also about teaching how to learn. A skilled tutor will help your child develop strong study routines and time management strategies. This might include showing them how to break down a big project into manageable steps, how to create a study schedule for an upcoming exam, or techniques for taking better notes.
One of the most significant benefits of tutoring is its focus on building these effective study skills and time management habits. By learning to prioritize tasks and organize their work, students start to feel more in control and less stressed. For instance, a tutor might teach your child to use a planner to track assignments or to tackle difficult homework first while energy is high.
Over time, these habits become second nature. Not only will you see improvements in their current school performance, but you’ll also be setting them up with life-long skills that are crucial for high school, college, and beyond.
Sign 5: Teacher or School Recommendations
Sometimes the sign comes from an expert who knows your child well: their teacher. If a teacher, counselor, or school administrator suggests looking into tutoring, it’s a sign worth taking seriously.
Educators often have a broad perspective on where a student stands relative to expectations and peers. They might notice consistent issues – like difficulty with reading comprehension or persistent trouble in math – that extra individual attention could resolve.
When a teacher recommends a tutor, it’s often because they see untapped potential or specific gaps that can’t be fully addressed during the school day.
Rather than viewing it as a criticism, recognize that the teacher is advocating for your child to get the personalized help they need to thrive.
Acting on a teacher’s recommendation can yield great benefits. Tutoring in this context is meant to complement what students learn in school, not replace it. A tutor can reinforce the lessons taught in class, provide additional practice, and clarify concepts in a focused environment.
As the Learning Disabilities Association explains, tutors are able to reinforce subjects taught in school while also teaching students how to work independently.
This one-on-one reinforcement can solidify skills that were shaky and give your child more confidence back in the classroom. In the tutoring sessions, your child can ask questions they didn’t get to ask in class and review material at their own pace.
So when a teacher points you toward tutoring, it means they care about your child’s success and recognize that this extra support could make a significant difference.
Partnering with a tutor will ensure your child doesn’t slip through the cracks and instead gets the tailored guidance they need.
How to Help Your Child Succeed with the Right Tutor
Identifying that your child could benefit from a tutor is the first step – next comes finding the right tutor and program to set them up for success.
Not all tutoring is created equal, and a great match can accelerate your child’s progress, while a poor fit might lead to frustration. Here are some tips to help you choose a tutor that fits your child’s needs and maximize the benefits of tutoring:
Pinpoint your child’s needs: Before you start, determine the areas where your child needs help. Is it a particular subject like math or reading? Or is it more about study skills and motivation? Understanding the problem will guide you toward a tutor with the right expertise (for example, a reading specialist for literacy issues or a math expert for algebra struggles).
Look for relevant experience and credentials: A good tutor should have proven knowledge in the subject area and experience working with students at your child’s grade level. For instance, if your child is in middle school, the tutor should be comfortable with that curriculum. Don’t hesitate to ask about qualifications or even request references. A reputable tutoring service will be happy to share their tutors’ backgrounds.
Consider teaching style and personality: Every child has a unique learning style. Some kids learn best through visual aids, others through discussion and examples. When evaluating a tutor, think about whether their teaching approach will click with your child. If your student is shy or anxious, a patient, encouraging tutor is key. Likewise, an energetic, creative tutor can be great for a child who needs learning to feel fun and engaging.
Set clear goals and communicate: Talk with both your child and the tutor about what you hope to achieve. Whether the goal is raising a grade from a C to a B, mastering certain skills, or building confidence, being on the same page helps track progress. A good tutor will also communicate with you (and even your child’s teacher, with permission) to align on these goals and report improvements or ongoing challenges.
Logistics and consistency matter: Decide how often and when tutoring will occur so that it fits your schedule and your child’s energy levels. Consistency is important – most students benefit from at least one or two sessions a week. Ensure the tutoring time doesn’t overstress your child (right after a long school day might be hard for some kids). Many tutoring programs offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate busy families.
When evaluating tutoring options, you’ll want a program that embodies the qualities above. Tamraloo Studios, for example, offers tutoring programs designed around each child’s unique needs. Tamraloo’s Tutoring Team provides a safe, enriching environment where learning is personalized and engaging.
The instruction is fully individualized and aimed at supporting (not replacing) what kids learn in school– meaning the tutor will reinforce class material and bridge any gaps, working hand-in-hand with the school curriculum.
Tamraloo’s tutors also focus on building confidence, not just grades, so that students become more self-assured and independent in their learning. Additionally, Tamraloo Studios offers flexible scheduling and a free trial session, allowing you to find a tutor who is the perfect fit for your child without upfront commitment.
By choosing the right tutor or tutoring program, you’re creating a support system that will help your child thrive academically and personally.
Get Started with Tamraloo Studios
Every child deserves the chance to succeed and feel confident in school. If you’ve noticed any of these signs in your own child, don’t wait to get them the help they need.
Tutoring can unlock their potential and make learning enjoyable again.
Take the next step today – set your child on the path to success with Tamraloo Studios’ tutoring program. Book a free tutoring session or learn more about our programs by visiting the Tamraloo Studios tutoring page.
With the right support, you can watch your child’s confidence soar and see them achieve results you’ll both be proud of!