Chances are, parents seeking tutoring services for their child or teenager do it because of low grades or difficulties in one or more subjects in school. The thought is that if someone can help with homework and class assignments, grades and progress will improve. For some kids, it may be that simple to help them improve, but for many, it is not. It's why the most effective tutors are often highly experienced teachers who have exceptional abilities in assisting children to learn. Tutoring services always include help with knowledge in a given subject area, but it needs to go further for many kids.

Deconstructing the causes of anyone's lack of progress in school can be a complicated issue that only an experienced teacher working one-on-one with a student can do. There may be learning issues or behavioral ones that influence the situation. People who are excellent students in most subject areas have developed study habits and organizational skills on their own that bring success. Not everyone does it naturally, and one of the most helpful contributions a tutor can make is to assist in those areas and the subject matter of classes. Experienced teachers quickly pick up on a child's needs.

Often helping a child who is not doing well in school may require circling back to things they missed earlier. Filling in gaps in knowledge is usually needed before progress can be made in classes today. When experienced teachers tutor kids, they can observe and ask questions to reveal the missed information and make sure to reteach what was missed. Learning about a subject – and developing learning skills – are sequential processes where later knowledge builds upon earlier concepts. Teachers who tutor and have knowledge of progressively developing understanding can help kids put them together.

The most effective tutors communicate appropriately with teachers and parents to gather information and report on progress. Tutoring sessions that are well integrated with classroom lessons in school have a greater chance of being effective. Also, it's not merely homework help – an outstanding teacher may sometimes work slightly ahead of class assignments to prepare a student to improve in school. Success lies in balancing many factors and understand each child or teen uniquely. No two people learn precisely alike nor have the same interests. Good teachers get through to different kids in different ways.