Being the evidence-based practitioners that teachers are we are always keeping up to date with what is best for the ākonga (young people) we have in our care.

Dr Judith Locke a clinical psychologist, and former teacher explored the research and impact tutoring can have on your child. Following is a summary and of some key findings and points to consider.

Have you spoken to your child's teacher? Discuss your worries with them.  Is the need for tutoring there? We all want our children to achieve to their potential. You may even find that there are other areas of opportunity, such as investing in conditions that support your child’s motivation or effort. At Milford we are always happy to share ways to support your child's learning at home.

Does your child ask questions in class? If your child is not asking for assistance, they’ll easily get left behind. Coach them how to ask questions respectfully and assertively to get the help they need in class when perplexed.

Consider your child’s motivation and schedule. Good tutoring will be additional work for your child, including homework in-between tutoring sessions. Your child is going to have to be motivated or you are probably wasting your time and money.  Tutoring can also be seen as a punishment and may decrease your child's interest or engagement in the topic at school.

Be clear on the purpose of tutoring. The tuition should be designed to teach skills that the child lacks and it needs to compliment what your child is learning at school so they do not become confused.

Consider the nature of tutoring. It’s critical that tutoring is teaching them skills and not simply doing the work for them. While it might involve looking at their homework, the tutor shouldn’t be doing it for them.

Tutoring should have an end date. A good tutoring company should have a tailored program — but it should not be endless. It would be a worrying sign if the tutoring school expected that they would accompany your child throughout their schooling. This won’t prepare children for the years beyond school when they are not getting weekly assistance.Keep assessing the benefits of tutoring on your confidence and skill.

Tutoring is a fast growing industry and it's advertising campaigns show you smiling students and promise many things. There’s a lot of money in the business of alleviating parent fears. Tutoring can be beneficial — but make sure that you are cautious. It needs to be genuinely building skills in your child and not simply increasing their over-reliance on other people’s ongoing assistance.

You can read the full article here and you can find more parenting advice and tips from Dr Judith Lock - Clinical psychologist, ex-teacher and mother, and speaker on child wellbeing to parents/teachers at schools worldwide. Author - The Bonsai Child, Bonsai Student here.