Maths tutor update

[Mowgli1970]

I posted recently about whether to get a tutor for my dd as she was struggling with year 5 maths. We did get a tutor and after two sessions (and a lot of maths games and practice in between) there's already a big improvement. If anyone is considering a tutor, I'd recommend it!

[Carolinemaths]

Glad it worked out!

[1Littleboy1Bigboy]

am pleased for you

[lovecheese]

mowgli - Hi, I am considering a tutor for my DD who has just finished yr4. She just does not like maths and is particularly bad at mental maths despite getting extra help from school and me and DH when she will listen! My question is does your DD not like maths? Or does she like it but is just not quite up to speed? I am worried that because my own DD stubbornly refuses to allow herself to get over the "I don't like maths and I am rubbish at it" mentality a tutor, however good, will not break down these barriers that she has put up, IYKWIM! I would be very grateful for some advice before taking the plunge. Thanks.

[Mowgli1970]

My dd says "oh I'm rubbish at maths" and has a mental block. She doesnt' enjoy it and it doesn't come easily to her. Her problem is partly lack of confidence and partly ability.

I can't get through to her as she diverts attention from the maths and employs tactics with me (crying, pleading, stubbornly refusing to do it) that she'd never dare try with a stranger! I found a tutor on www.firsttutors.co.uk and found a lady nearby.

You can specify how many sessions you'd like via email, so you may like to try 6 sessions and then if your dd isn't getting much out of it, there's no obligation to go further.
Hope this helps!

[Mowgli1970]

Sorry that didn't work! The link is here

[Carolinemaths]

Lovecheese, I interviewed my friend who's a Maths Tutor for my maths blog. She gave some good advice, such as working out with your child what are their specific areas of weakness before meeting the tutor so the tutor can base the work on that information.

There's also a few posts on there about my DIY Kumon approach to mental maths.

Hope this helps

[lovecheese]

Thanks both, will have a look after our day out at the MOSI.

[willali]

I would second Mowgli's point that even the most stubborn child willnot play up to a "teacher" type as opposed to a parent. We have had fabulous success with a maths tutor (an older retired teacher) for my DS who constantly told himself he can't do it therefore he won't bother making an effort. ONe to one help once a week has transformed his confidence - he will never be a true mathematician but at least now he feels that it is worth tyring because more often than not he will get it right!

[lovecheese]

willali your comment "he will never be a true mathematician but at least now he feels that it is worth trying because more often than not he will get it right" absolutely nails it on the head regarding how I hope my DD will see maths in the future; she doesnt have to love it, just get through it!

[sarahfreck]

As a tutor, I'm so pleased your dd is making progress. In my experience it can help a lot!

[colinbeveridge]

Mowgli: do your best to build your daughter's maths confidence. Work through things she knows how to do and celebrate her successes. Encourage her to explore and ask questions. Encourage her to make mistakes and come up with her own ways of working.

Maths is beautiful, but the sense of wonder rarely seems to make it out of school alive.

Good luck!

Colin, maths tutor.

[Sammiez]

Hi,
Please how does one go about getting a tutor? How does one know one is getting a 'good' one? We are in Hertfordshire.

[colinbeveridge]

I would check sites like Personal Tutors and First Tutors to see who is around - have a look at the tutor profiles and see if any of them sound like they'd be a good match.

Quite often the sites have a feedback system, so you can see how other people have responded to the tutor.

You can always ask a tutor for references as well - but bear in mind they'll probably point you at their best students

You may also get good mileage out of remote learning (depending on how you think your child will respond to it) - I frequently give GCSE classes over a webcam using a shared whiteboard and find it works at least as well as in-person at that level.

[wheelsonthebus]

Sammiez - I would ring the best performing private schools in your area and say you want your child to go there (keep it vague) and could they recommend tutors for the 7+/11+ whatever. In my area, some of the private schools say 'ooh, we could never do that' while others read out a list of phone numbers to you!