Hiring a Math Tutor for Your Child - 5 Ways for Choosing Well

Hiring a math tutor for your child can be an overwhelming task! But you are on the right track. There are a few things that can help you find a local math tutor in Saskatoon, and at Mathnasium of Saskatoon, our goal is to help make this process easier for you. In this article we will help you look at the 5 tips for finding a local tutor

How do you go about finding the right tutor for your child, their particular challenges, your schedule, your budget etc. There are a lot of things to consider when looking for someone to help your child in any subject area, however with mathematics, there are a few various points that may help you to find the perfect match when looking for a math tutor for your child. 

These are a few tips that will help you to find the results you want for your child.

• What exactly do you and your child need in a math tutor?
  
  
  In general, the first indicator that a tutor may be required is struggles with homework. Whether or not you have the time to help your child at home, it can be hard to be your child’s tutor, especially in the subject of math. You need to find a tutor that cares about your child’s progress.  Even the most accomplished mathematicians are not necessarily the best teachers of the subject. At Mathnasium of Saskatoon our tutors are not only highly trained in the subject but are also enthusiastic, caring and experienced teachers. They have the skills and abilities to share their knowledge in a way that children understand and comprehend. It is also their passion to share this with their students, and therefore both tutor and student gain from the experience.  
  
  
  Look for tutoring centres that provide the help you require. If you are looking for “homework help” be sure the math tutor you hire provides this. Some offer varying services that may not match exactly what you are looking for. On the other hand, if you are looking for a tutor that can help your child bridge a learning gap or look more thoroughly at mathematical concepts that your child is struggling with, then make sure that the tutor you hire can provide that. Be clear about what you and your child need when meeting with potential tutors. Perhaps your child is advanced in math and you are looking to help advance their progress. Discuss this with your tutor to help find the right match.
  
  
• Assess exactly the cause as to why you need a tutor.
  
  
  If your child is struggling to keep up in class, it is most likely because they are missing core skills. Sometimes a class will advance and certain students have not had enough time to grasp a specific concept, As math is a cumulative subject, if these foundations are not understood, it is impossible to build on them and continue to keep increasing the learning levels. It is also important to discuss with your child what they like about their teachers and learn about your child’s learning style and how they connect with the person teaching them. 
  
  
  Anger, frustration or even tears at homework time is simply a symptom that your child is struggling with Math.  It makes sense to provide support specifically around the curriculum so your child can finish the homework and pass the test.
  
  
  It is important to find a tutor that will thoroughly explain the subject and help your child truly learn it. You don’t want a quick fix to just teach your child to repeat answers to get a grade. Make sure that your child is learning the concepts and theories so they can apply them independently and not rely on repetition just to match an answer to a question.
  
  
  A good tutoring program will use a comprehensive, baseline assessment to determine what skills are missing. Then the program should be structured to accomplish two things: teach those skills to your child over time so that the gaps are filled and provide ongoing support so your child can pass their math class. Since no two children are alike, the plan should be customized to meet your child’s exact learning styles and scholastic needs.
  
  
• Master the content vs get a quick fix
  
  
  Your tutor helped your child pass the test and the semester. This may be a temporary relief, but if your child truly understands the subject, the next grade will be so much easier as opposed to just scraping by with the grades required. It will also be more rewarding for your child to truly grasp concepts and actively learn. 
  
  
  Mastering the content is more important than passing the test. If your child has a strong grasp on the content, then they can continue to develop it and move through grade levels with a lot more ease. Retaining just enough information to pass the test may work short term but you will be wasting time and money on this type of “learning”.
  
  
  Like reading, math builds on prior skills. If your child didn’t learn all the sounds of the letters, he wouldn’t be able to read.  In math, if your child doesn’t build the basic skills, he won’t be able to progress. Key concepts like order of operations, fractions, decimals, and factors come up as often in math as words do in reading.
  
  
  Building a program that continually assesses your child’s progress and understanding will also help to build confidence as your child sees the results from the work they are putting in A good tutor will help your child learn the skills he or she needs to move forward independently and without their continuous help. 
  
  
  Our tutors at Mathnasium of Saskatoon will be happy to discuss with you how long they think your child will need before they are able to apply concepts and continue to learn on their own. Investing more at the beginning will help you in the long run.
  
  
• Ask important questions first.
  
  
  Find out about the type of tutoring your child will be getting. How much time will be spent with your child to help them get the results you are looking for. Is there homework and independent study required? Does the tutor look at individual learning styles and what are their teaching methods?
  
  
  At Mathnasium we work closely with your child to discover how they learn best. We don’t offer a one size fits all method. We vary our techniques and find the best way to make sure that your child retains and understand the information. We also strive to make the learning experience fun and rewarding. 
  
  
• Establish your role.
  
  
  Are you skilled at math? How much help do you want to provide at home? Sometimes being a great mathematician doesn’t make you a great teacher! Talk with your tutor about whether or not you will have a role in the learning process. Would you prefer to stay outside of the process, or do you want to have a hands-on element? Be clear with your tutor about this from the start. Commit to the decision that you and your tutor decide on. 
  
  
  How long will your child need a tutor? Ask if the solution will solve the problem long term or if you will be doing this again next year?

If you are looking for a math tutor in Saskatoon, contact Mathnasium of Saskatoon today for an assessment for your child.