Every parent wants the best for their children, and if you have a child who falls behind in school, it can be difficult for the entire family. When a child does poorly, it can be for various reasons, but if you and her or his teacher feel the challenge is purely academic, you may want to investigate hiring a private tutor. Most educational experts agree that an experienced teacher with a Master's degree has the most to offer as a tutor. They understand the fundamentals of learning and the subject matter of the class where your child may be doing poorly. Helping kids get on track in a class requires knowledge. 

Years ago, it was common to have outstanding older students help younger ones in subject areas where one was proficient, and the other needed help. Sometimes it was enough to help to get a younger child on the road to greater academic success. But often, it fell short because someone who understands a subject but is not trained as a teacher is not well equipped to handle many problems. Study habits and organizational skills play into being a good student, and teachers understand how to help kids in those areas. Others who fall behind may lack the maturity needed, and a trained teacher can spot those cases.

So, when you're talking to prospective tutors for your child, ask questions that go beyond a person's knowledge in a subject area. It'll help if they have tutored other children or teens in similar situations and had experience working in a classroom. While a tutor can provide help during a session, your child will be called upon to use their knowledge independently in school. The person helping them needs to know how to make sure they've learned something and have the mastery required to use their newfound knowledge. N experience teacher who tutors will understand all of these needs and can help your child.

The best tutors (and teachers) can quickly build rapport with kids and even the most blasé teenagers. Knowing how to break through and bring some interest in school subjects, also known as motivation, can be crucially important in improving progress at school. There was a reason your child fell behind in the first place, and getting to the bottom of it will be required to turn things around. When you have an expert teacher who understands kids and can build those relationships, tutoring sessions will be much more effective. When you're interviewing prospective tutors, ask plenty of questions.