Dangers of Learning Centers and Tutoring for Math

Learning Centers and private tutors are a double edged sword when it comes to school, and with math especially.

While your child may be getting extra practice, often tutors will teach methods different than the classroom teachers.

Most teachers are required to remain after school for a period of time. Request that your child’s teacher schedule after-school math tutoring sessions if your child really needs help.

For more information on the Learning Center/Tutor "scam", check out the learning center category.

Write it down

Encourage your child to use a daily math assignment book.

Math Chores

Use household chores as opportunities for reinforcing math learning such as cooking and repair activities.

Shortcuts and strategies

Try to be aware of how your child is being taught math. Don’t teach strategies and shortcuts that conflict with the approach the teacher is using. (See dangers of learning centers and tutors for more information)

Contact the teacher

If your child is experiencing problems in math, contact the teacher immediately. Math is a "building block" subject. Each lesson builds upon the last. If your child misses a "block" then the whole building can come crashing down.

Challenge! - What to do if your child finds homework intolerably boring…

Who doesn't? If you can honestly tell me that you liked homework when you where a kid call me, I know a good Psychiatrist. Here's the secret. Bored being the key work.

There is a big difference between dislike and boring. Life is filled with things we dislike. As adults we know that sometimes “you gotta do what ya gotta do”, to achieve a higher goal. Homework is no different.

It is extremely important to monitor your kid's actual homework assignments, as well as how they tackle them. If they find the assignments monotonous but difficult, or challenging you are ok.

But when you notice, or your child consistently complains that homework is easy, or “I know this already”, or they just go through the motions every
night…watch out, trouble is coming. Boredom will set in, and a new dangerous association will begin to form… learning is boring. And it's all down hill from there.

It's normal for students not to want to do their homework. But if your child always seems bored or unhappy, you need to try to find out the reason by talking with your child. Then talk to the teacher to come up with a solution.

Teachers want students to learn from homework. Tell the teacher if your child thinks the homework is to easy or too hard. This will help the teacher match
homework with student ability and maturity levels. Teachers want bright students who enjoy a challenge. Any teacher worth their salt will gladly give enhanced
assignments to motivated students. Why? Won't this give the teacher more work? Not necessarily. Students who rise to the challenge give the teachers someone to show off and brag about to parents, peers, and administrators.

In essence when your child looks good, the teacher looks good as well.

The teacher-parent team

Keep open lines of communication between you and your child’s math teacher. Check in with the teacher and ask what you can do to help. Ask the teacher about online resources that you can use with your child at home.

Checking Homework

Check with your child daily about his homework. It is not necessary to go over everything. Just act curious, and check out his assignment and a few problems.