Hiring a Homeschool Reading Tutor? 5 Things to Consider
Should hire a homeschool reading tutor? I’m wondering if you’ve ever asked yourself this question. You’ve started your homeschool journey with your little reader feeling nervous excitement. But, now, you’re seriously beginning to doubt you have what it takes to teach your child to read. You’ve even googled, ‘Homeschool Reading Tutors Near Me’ and almost pressed the button to move forward with this decision. Before you do, know that I believe in you and your ability to teach your kiddo to read. However, there are 5 things I think you should consider before hiring a tutor to work with you and your child.
So, you’ve almost pressed that button, and signed up for a virtual online reading tutor for your child. There are some great tutors out there. However, I believe there are 5 key points to consider before hiring a homeschool reading tutor.
First, self-doubt can be a powerful negative voice in our head that threatens to undermine what we are actually capable of doing.
What do you know about teaching Kindergarten phonics skills? You’re not trained as a teacher. You didn’t even learn phonics that way. It’s too hard, so you might was well hire a homeschool reading tutor.
You’re feeling this way because you know what’s weighing in the balance…your child’s ability to read and comprehend the meaning of a simple text. Beyond basic phonics skills, what about in other subject areas? Reading math word problems? New science concepts? Faith-based learning? Simply, you’re left doubting yourself and your ability to teach your kiddo to read. If you’re struggling with the niggling feeling of doubt and wondering if you have what it takes to teach phonics skills so that your child can read with confidence, then this then I’m around, Friend!
Homeschool Mom, I have learned from you and your fellow homeschooling mom friends, that there is no ONE way to homeschool and teach your children at home. You know the reasons WHY you are homeschooling your children. I am certainly not here to tell you if hiring a homeschool reading tutor for your child could be the right thing to do. I am going to address some considerations for you to think about before making this decision, either to get reading help for your child through an outside source or increasing YOUR reading teacher skills as a homeschool mom.
Some of you would be happy hiring a tutor to teach your child to read and take this very important job off your plate. You are perfectly fine getting reading help for your child that way. This can be expensive, and maybe that’s not an option for you right now. OR Maybe you decided to homeschool, because YOU wanted to teach your kiddos, not a stranger.
I don’t believe there is a right or wrong answer to the question of, “Should I Hire a Reading Tutor for My Child?’. However, I do believe there are 5 important considerations before doing so.
5 Things to Consider Before Hiring a Homeschool Reading Tutor
- Could it be self-doubt that is leading you to wonder if you have what it takes to teach your child to read. I The self-doubt you may be feeling may be holding you back from reaching out and getting a little help to learn simple phonics strategies so that you can teach your child to read with confidence. Friend, I’d love to help. In fact, this is the reason I’ve created my one-hour coaching for homeschool mom, just like you. One hour learning simple phonics strategies with me will help you kick self-doubt to the curb! Go to phonicsrulesforkids.com/coaching.
2. Knowledge of phonics skills and HOW to teach them. Simply put, a tutor with specific phonics training is likely to be familiar with teaching phonics skills for children ages 4-8 in ways that you might not be YET. If you’re willing to invest in learning HOW to teach phonics to your child, skills that you can put on rinse and repeat with multiple children, this will be a win for both you and your child.
3. How much will this cost? Does the potential weekly cost of hiring a reading tutor work for your family right now? The flip side of this consideration is to ask yourself, ‘What is the real cost of NOT hiring a reading tutor?’, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed OR your child is struggling as a reader.
4. How is your student-teacher relationship (a.k.a., homeschool mom-kiddo) working during reading and phonics lessons? If it’s becoming a battle, it might be helpful to have another individual step in and take on this role, even for just a short while. If you have a child experiencing social-emotional struggles, such as ADHD, past trauma, or simply a strong-willed child, it may be helpful to have another voice step in, even for a short time, to deliver phonics instruction for your child. Remember, that you are your child’s safe place. They may act in ways towards you that they wouldn’t for an adult in a virtual tutoring situation.
5. Are you confident in your ability to speak and write basic English? If English is your second Language, you may be very proficient and have no problem at all. For others, you may still be learning the basics of the English Language.
