Still, the need for help can be perceived as a weakness, especially for students who often compare themselves to their peers. The irony is that tutoring strengthens a student’s ability to learn, as reported by a Brookings Institute meta analysis of 96 studies. 

In this blog post, we make three points that combat the stigma of tutoring. 

Everywhere you look, there are advertisements and opportunities for wellness and self-improvement. We applaud those who practice mindfulness, stick to a regimented fitness routine, and commit to the diet du jour for their initiative. 

Kids who work with tutors--reluctantly or not--are choosing to make a change so that they can improve their grades, develop better study habits and strategies, and gain more confidence. We don’t criticize athletes for being coached to optimize their performance; therefore, we should give students credit who seek help to enhance their skills. 

Tutoring requires perseverance by students. In a world of high-tech, rapid information and instant feedback, it can be challenging for kids to slow down and work on themselves. To that end, individualized and student-centered tutoring is a marathon, not a sprint. That’s not to say that students won’t see initial results; rather, the outcomes--self-advocacy, greater confidence, and higher test scores and grades--often occur over time. 

Students who go along for the ride show grit and tenacity.

 

It just so happens that tutoring is not limited to those students who are struggling. So called high achiever students also want to up their game. In fact, studies have shown that for high achievers, tutoring has proven to improve test scores across all grade levels. Many of these students gain deeper understanding and push themselves further with regular tutoring sessions.

Returning to the sports analogy, some kids who play sports for their schools also participate in park district, feeder, and travel leagues to hone their skills. 

Finally, as we’ve previously written, early intervention is so important for a successful tutoring experience. The farther your child falls behind, the more their confidence will erode, and the notion of seeking outside support will likely feel extremely overwhelming to them. 

At the end of the day, the benefits of tutoring--unique and individualized learning experience, improved academic performance, higher level of thinking, self-esteem boost, etc.--far outweigh the stigmas.

Club Z! Tutoring of Chicago North Shore specializes in providing individualized, in-home and virtual tutoring for students k - 12 in Northbrook, Glenview, Wilmette, Winnetka, Northfield, Kenilworth, and surrounding cities. If you want your child to work on developing skills that will translate to improved grades and self-esteem, contact us today at: bbalatsos@clubztutoring.com. You can also reach us at 847-440-3440 and by visiting clubztutoringnorthshore.com.