Trust Your Gut, Parents

“Progress reports are a hint of what’s to come,” says Ms. Dana, Director of the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville. She spoke about progress reports when she appeared on First Coast Living, WTLV Channel 12. 

When the first progress report arrives, you and your child may become aware of emerging academic shortfalls. “Trust your gut. You know your child best. If your child is struggling in school, it’s not all about academics. It’s about how they study, and prioritize . . . “ Dana tells parents. 

If you’re unsure as to how to how you can help, here are questions to ask about issues often at the root of academic struggles.

• Time Management   Does your child use time wisely in preparing for assignments and tests? Are specific times reserved for studies and learning activities at home?

• Social Balance   Does involvement in too many extracurricular activities take needed time and attention away from academic subjects? Do you help your child create the right balance among various types of activities?

• Setting Priorities   Does your child understand how to effectively prioritize tasks and work on those that are most important first?

• Homework Habits   Does your child find it difficult to complete homework assignments or projects on time? Does your child have a quiet place at home that’s free of distractions where study tools are accessible and project work can be done?

• Educational Interest   What are your child's talents or interests? How can you use them to motivate your child to higher learning? How can your child’s talents and special interests be used to encourage them to explore areas of academic passion?

• Academic Gaps   What classes or subjects does your child enjoy the least? Do diagnostic tests reveal academic, skill, or knowledge gaps? What about gaps in organizational, study, or test-taking skills?

“It’s early in the school year – now is the time to get help, before your student gets too far into the school year to catch up with any learning losses,” advises Dana. What can you expect when you bring your child to Tutoring Club? “We can give an assessment to uncover your child’s areas of strength and weakness, determine the root causes of their academic struggles and develop a customized learning plan to fill those gaps.”    

"We’ve found that when children learn to master the skills they’ve missed, they regain their sense of confidence,” says Dana. Students have 24x7 access to their grade portal, and Dana asks all her students to use planners and to track their grades. “Students need to take ownership of their learning. We give them the ability and the confidence to improve their level of learning.  Confidence is everything – and that’s what we do best. We help children feel better about themselves. Anyone who wants to learn better can come to Tutoring Club.”

You can contact the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville at 268-8556 to learn how our TutorAid programs and our highly skilled tutors work together to elevate your child’s academic performance.