As both a classroom teacher and a tutor, I’ve sat on both sides of this question. I’ve watched parents agonize over whether their child needs extra help, and I’ve seen families invest in tutoring when a different intervention would have served them better. I’ve also seen children struggle for years when earlier support could have changed their trajectory entirely.
The decision to hire a tutor isn’t always straightforward, and the tutoring industry doesn’t always make it easier. Some companies suggest every child needs supplemental instruction to stay competitive. Others promise dramatic transformations that sound too good to be true. As a parent, it’s hard to know what your child actually needs versus what someone is trying to sell you.
Here’s my honest take on when tutoring genuinely helps – and when your time and money might be better spent elsewhere.
When Tutoring Makes a Real Difference
Tutoring is most effective when a child has specific gaps in foundational skills that classroom instruction alone can’t address. In a typical classroom, teachers work hard to meet every student’s needs, but they’re also responsible for moving 25 or more children through a curriculum on a set timeline. If your child missed a key concept – whether due to absence, distraction, or simply needing more time to process – the class moves on. That gap doesn’t disappear. It compounds, making each subsequent concept harder to grasp.
A tutor can identify exactly where the breakdown occurred and rebuild from there. This targeted approach is something classroom teachers rarely have time to provide, no matter how skilled or dedicated they are. If your child is working hard but still falling behind, if they’ve started saying things like “I’m just not good at math” or “reading is boring,” or if homework has become a nightly battle despite everyone’s best efforts, these are signs that foundational gaps may be the culprit.
Tutoring also helps when a child needs a different approach or pace than what’s available in the classroom. Some students need concepts broken into smaller steps. Others benefit from more practice before moving on. Still others need material presented through a different modality – more visual, more hands-on, more repetition. A good tutor adapts to how your individual child learns rather than expecting your child to adapt to a single teaching style.
When Something Else Might Work Better
Not every academic struggle requires a tutor. Sometimes what looks like a learning problem is actually a sleep problem, an anxiety problem, or a vision problem. If your child is exhausted, overwhelmed, or literally can’t see the board clearly, no amount of tutoring will address the root cause. Before investing in academic support, rule out the basics: Is your child getting enough sleep? Have they had a recent vision and hearing screening? Are there stressors at home or school affecting their concentration?
Sometimes the issue is motivation rather than ability. A child who rushes through homework to get back to video games or simply doesn’t see the point of school may not need tutoring – they may need clearer expectations, natural consequences, or a conversation about goals. A tutor can’t manufacture motivation that isn’t there, and paying for sessions your child resents often backfires.
If your child is performing at grade level but you’re hoping to push them ahead of peers or secure admission to a competitive program, pause and consider whether that pressure serves them. Acceleration for its own sake can create stress without meaningful benefit. Children who are genuinely ready for more challenge often show it through curiosity and engagement, not just high test scores.
Questions Worth Asking
Before hiring a tutor, talk to your child’s classroom teacher. They see your child in an academic setting every day and can offer perspective on whether struggles are typical or concerning. Ask specifically: Is my child performing below grade level? Are there gaps in foundational skills? What interventions have already been tried? Teachers can often suggest targeted strategies to try at home before you invest in outside help.
If you do pursue tutoring, look for someone who communicates clearly about what they’re seeing and how they’re addressing it. A good tutor will assess your child’s current skills, set realistic goals, and keep you informed of progress. Be wary of anyone who promises dramatic results without first understanding where your child is starting from.
The right support at the right time can genuinely transform a child’s relationship with learning. The key is making sure tutoring is the right support – not just the most obvious one.