Are tutors worth it?

[Suziee37]

Really debating whether to get a tutor for DD. She’s 6 years old but very weak in reading. I’m having a meeting with class teacher next week so going to ask her opinion too. What’s your thoughts shall I get a tutor or order those workbooks I’ve seen in shops for her year group and maybe try to do a little reading every night with her?

I feel if I take some time out and actually sit with her she could improve. But I’m also tempted with tutoring. I’ve never had one and never considered one for DD as she’s so young. Opinions please I’m so confused

Poor op.

The train has left the station now

Op, what reading level is your child on? How can anyone comment without knowing this?

You didn't give much detail. Mn is notourusily agaisnt tutors.
In many other cultures it's the done thing.
Can you afford the tutor?.
If your feeling depressed, I think it would be a good idea!

Take the pressure off you.

If you want to get a tutor, get one. My little boy (age 6) had one for maths for sometime before Covid struck. Totally worth it in my opinion as it turns out I’m completely rubbish at explaining things! I did think at the time that he’s too young however he needed the extra help and it was worth it in my opinion.

At least see if you can have a trial session with someone and see how your little one gets on, you don’t know if you don’t try :)

• some dc don't like or get or understand phonics.

They don't get it.

• my dd has 2. They are amazing, totally helped to turn her around I just wish I hadn't waited whilst she fell further and further behind, lost in large class's..

@randomer you’d think but teachers don’t seem to have a clue. So they label dyslexic kids as just struggling. If a child has extra help in school but still struggles enough to need a tutor I’d suspect it’s more than just slightly struggling. Dyslexic teaching methods can help kids who wouldn’t meet the diagnostic criteria.

Dyslexia isn’t black and white, it’s lots of genes in combination, so some people have it much worse than others. I have some of these genes but didn’t struggle reading, I have other signs, like dyscalculia but wouldn’t be diagnosed.

It’s estimated 10% of kids have some form of dyslexia so it’s not at all uncommon or unlikely. Nor is it obviously different to ‘just struggling a bit’ in how it appears to a teacher or parent. But no one would pay out for a tutor if just struggling slightly.

At that age you need to, in collaboration with her teacher make sure there isn't an issue preventing her making progress (lack of basic skills. Eye sight, dyslexia etc) and if not practise little and often and it will come.

Don’t stress about cancelling the tutor, you’re giving her plenty of notice and the plan she sent you was probably a copy and paste of stuff she already had. A 6 year old only needs you to get snuggly and read to her every day at bedtime. No need for her to read if she doesn’t want to, just be read to in a cuddly position so she can see the book while you read. I’d prioritise that over brushing your hair or sorting out the house or pretty much anything else beyond keeping them fed and making it through the days. I’m sorry you’re struggling. Things are so hard at the moment and you sound like a really good mum.

Op, what reading level is your child on?

The little girl is 6. She is not on any level, not does she need to be.
Nor does she need to have some sort of additional needs. Maybe parents are a bit weary and the little person is not so enamoured by print right now? In 6 weeks or so, it will be different.

oh and btw, lets remember the countries who do well in the league tables, start formal education at age 7.

Are tutors worth it? Well for my year 11 dd who is about to sit her GCSE's probably yes. A 6 year old learning to read? No - she'll be fine as long as you read with her every day.

@randomer

oh and btw, lets remember the countries who do well in the league tables, start formal education at age 7.

But, if we are going to remember that, we have to look at what happens with the child before their formal education and the level at which they enter. Then compare that to the experience of the average child growing up in the UK.

I do find it crazy that four year olds can be in formal school. And that really must be very hard for little boys, in particular, who are even less school ready (in general) than little girls at that age.

About cancelling a tutor you simply say that on reflection you've decided to try reading with her more yourself and having more books for her and see how that goes but that you will bear her in mind if you feel that doesn't improve things... then you need to do exactly that

Share books with her and enjoy them with her. So many lovely books and worth more than a tutor. Use the money you save on a tutor and play word games etc, try those work books but your involvement with her is the most valuable thing you can give her. Don’t worry and focus on instilling a love of books with help in the building of words etc.