How to prepare your child for online tutoring

You’ve signed your child up for online tutoring because you understand how much it helps them gain a firm academic foundation, contributes to improved performance, and gives them skills to become more independent learners.

You can contribute to the success of your child’s tutoring by helping them prepare for their first session. Keeping a structure for each one that follows also lowers everyone’s stress by reducing the time spent on setup, so your child’s academic enrichment stays the focus of each session.

Getting ready for your child’s first tutoring session

The first session sets the tone for later meetings and the relationship they will develop with the tutor. Parents and caregivers can do the following beforehand:

• Ensure your child has access to reliable technology, including a strong internet connection, computer, and screen.
  
• Set up a quiet space that can accommodate all the equipment and tools your child needs, including a place for you or another caregiver to sit when you want to participate.
  
• Provide pens and pencils, highlighters, a calculator, a second video screen, and any other tools your child will need.
  
• Collect all course materials from your child’s teacher, including assignment instructions, readings, a syllabus, and graded tests and assignments.

Preparing for future sessions

Preparation is important throughout all phases of the student-tutor relationship. To make sure every tutoring session is productive and engaging, you can take the following steps:

• Talk to your child about their experience and get their feedback.
  
• Encourage your child to take a short nap before each session to help them think more clearly.
  
• Get updates from the tutor about what your child is doing well and what areas need improvement.
  
• Ask your child’s teacher for feedback, test scores, or other assessment data.
  
• Make sure your child continues to have upcoming homework assignments ready before each session.
  
• Double-check that all necessary tools, textbooks, class notes, and other materials are still working and accessible, including a strong internet connection.

Other ways to contribute to successful tutoring

There are more ways you can enhance their child’s education and help them get the most out of online tutoring. Acting as a go-between to help your child and the tutor stay connected also helps you understand your child’s learning needs and how the tutor is assessing them.

It’s also important to strike a healthy balance between providing guidance and helping your child become a more independent learner. Encourage them to take more ownership of their own learning. For instance, you and your child can work together on a study checklist, but your child can hold themselves accountable for completing all the items on the list.

Remind’s tutoring services are part of an educational ecosystem that keeps caregivers, students, and teachers connected through the academic year and beyond. Students are matched with an experienced and engaging tutor who personalizes every session to make sure students progress toward their goals. Learn more about Remind Tutoring and sign up today.