What to look for to ensure your child gets the maths help they need.
The decision to find a maths tutor comes for a variety of reasons. Your child is behind in maths and needs to catch up. Or they’re doing okay at school, but you would like them to get a little ahead of the game. They could also be bored with maths and ready to move on to more advanced concepts. These are all good reasons to seek out maths help. And, whether you decide to hire a private maths tutor or enrol your child in a maths learning programme, here are some qualities to look for in an instructor:
1. They are empathetic
Empathy is one of the most important qualities for a maths tutor to have. They should be interested in how a student feels about maths and capable of responding in a way that empowers them. Some students will struggle with the content and feel stressed or overwhelmed, while others will be bored because they’re ready for new material. A good instructor will target their teaching towards the individual based on this acquired knowledge.
2. They make maths fun
There’s no reason why learning maths shouldn’t be enjoyable for children. If an instructor is enthusiastic about maths and passionate about helping their students understand it, they are far more likely to make it fun for them too. Do they build maths-based games and activities into the learning? Do they give rewards for working hard and reaching milestones? A positive and engaging learning environment also goes a long way in making the child feel motivated and eager to learn.
3. They teach to the individual
Find out if your child will be given a learning assessment, so that the instructor knows exactly what their strengths and weaknesses are. They’ll need to know what your child has missed in their maths education thus far as well as their individual learning style. And, because maths knowledge is cumulative, any learning gaps will need to be addressed and remedied before the child can move on. This is where a maths learning programme with a structured approach backed by a proven curriculum is going to be most effective.
4. They can explain concepts in multiple ways
A maths tutor must obviously have excellent maths skills. But they also must be able to teach the various concepts in a way that makes sense to the student. This requires an ability to explain concepts in different ways to take into account that all students think differently. A good instructor doesn’t just teach students to memorise or calculate, they teach them to truly understand the way maths works.
5. They are available
Children have so much going on during the school year that adding a maths tutor to the schedule can be tricky. The ideal solution will include flexible scheduling and the option of online learning. Just be sure the instruction is always face-to-face, so your child gets the attention and encouragement they need throughout the learning process.
The Mathnasium Advantage.
To be certain your child is getting the instruction they need, consider going beyond hiring a maths tutor and enrolling your child in a maths learning program with a history of setting children on the right path towards academic success. The Mathnasium Method, Mathnasium’s proprietary teaching method, has been transforming the way children learn and appreciate maths since 2002. It does more than just raise their marks and scores — it teaches children to think critically, solve problems and work independently — skills that go beyond the classroom and last a lifetime.
It starts with an individual assessment, to pinpoint your child’s exact strengths and weaknesses. A customised learning plan is then created, detailing the specific maths concepts your child needs to master to meet their learning goals. Students don’t just learn how to memorise or calculate. Instead, five different teaching techniques are used — mental, verbal, visual, written and tactile — to address how each child learns best. A process called “Socratic questioning,” is also used to help students understand a concept. By answering questions, they have to make sure their logic is sound, which encourages them to think through the process on their own. This develops independent thinking, which they’ll use in every area of their lives. Attentive, highly trained instructors will teach your child face-to-face at the pace that’s right for them. And both in-centre and online learning is available.
Whoever you decide to partner with in your child’s maths education, what’s most important is that your children learn maths in a way that makes sense to them, so that they develop a deep understanding that stays with them throughout their school years and beyond.
