Unlock your child’s potential: Strategies for after-school tutoring that work
Tutoring sessions offer a great opportunity to support students’ learning outside of the classroom. For middle and high school students, after-school tutoring can bridge academic gaps, build confidence, and reinforce foundational skills especially in subjects like mathematics, where cumulative knowledge is essential. However, without clear goals and structured planning, this time can be underutilized, often devolving into a mere homework help session or an exam preparation crash session. To get the best out of a typical 1-hour tutoring session, here are some practical strategies for parents and tutors to consider.
1. Define Clear Objectives for Each Session
Effective tutoring begins with purpose. Before the session, identify 1–2 specific learning objectives that target a student’s needs.
Identifying learning objectives is especially useful when students are preparing for school assessments. To avoid the last-minute rush to cover all the content (This is counter-productive. I have seen students sit miserably through a 90-minute exam because they had forgotten all they had tried to cram the previous night), it is good practice to spread out the objectives over a number of days. Share the plan with the student to establish focus and direction.
2. Prioritize Foundational Skill Building
Many students struggle in math because they have not yet mastered basic skills. I have found that students who have strong basic math skills tend to grasp complex content quicker than students with weak basic skills. Use tutoring time to diagnose and address these gaps. A short skills-based warm-up at the beginning of each session can:
- Identify areas needing intervention
- Build fluency and automaticity
- Provide a smooth entry point into more complex topics
For example, a tutor might spend the first 10–15 minutes on fraction operations or mental math strategies before progressing to the main focus of the session.
3. Avoid Using Tutoring Time Solely for Homework Completion
While it can be tempting to use the hour for homework help, this approach is reactive rather than proactive. Homework should be a tool to reinforce previously learned skills, not the core of the tutoring session. Instead, tutors can:
- Use homework to identify misconceptions
- Extract sample problems from homework to teach underlying concepts
- Assign homework review as a short, final activity in the session
This ensures the session remains focused on developing the target skills and having a deeper understanding of the concept. For example, you could begin the session by instructing the student to complete the assigned homework independently. Review the completed homework to identify any areas where the student is still experiencing difficulties. If misconceptions or errors are evident, reteach the relevant concept and provide additional guided or independent practice. If the student demonstrates mastery, plan for enrichment opportunities to extend their understanding or introduce the next learning objective.
4. Incorporate Active Learning Strategies
Students retain more when they are actively engaged. To increase participation and ownership of learning:
- Use questioning techniques to encourage critical thinking
- Have students explain their reasoning
- Include brief formative tasks
Implementing these ideas shifts the student from being a passive recipient to an active participant, improving retention and application. For instance, after modeling a skill, I provide my tutees with similar problems to solve independently. To assess their true understanding, I then present a question that requires them to apply the skill in an unfamiliar context. This approach encourages critical thinking and often prompts students to ask meaningful questions to clarify their understanding, rather than passively waiting for direct answers.
5. Monitor Progress and Adjust Plans Accordingly
Keep informal records of what was covered and how the student responded. A simple tracking sheet with topics, errors observed, and follow-up actions can guide future sessions. Share progress regularly with parents and adjust goals as needed to ensure growth is continuous and measurable.
6. Foster a Growth Mindset
Tutoring should be a space where students feel safe to make mistakes and learn from them. Encourage a growth mindset by:
- Praising effort and persistence
- Normalizing struggle as part of the learning process
- Setting realistic, short-term goals that build confidence
This creates a positive learning environment and motivates students to take ownership of their progress.
Conclusion
Tutoring, when planned and purpose-driven, can be a transformative experience for middle and high school students. By using each session to target foundational skills, reinforce key concepts, and promote active learning rather than merely completing homework, parents and tutors can significantly impact a student’s long-term academic success. With consistent structure, collaboration, and a focus on meaningful learning, the after-school hour becomes more than just extra help, it becomes a powerful investment in a student’s future.
