When Is the Right Time to Get a Tutor for Your Child?
KIS Summary:
- Breaks down the common signs that your child would benefit from some tutoring, such as when their grades drop or if they are stressed about school.
- Tips on the best time to get a tutor (hint: it is not during exam season).
⭐️ Why Parents & Students Love KIS Tutoring
As a parent, you want the best for your child — especially when it comes to their education. But how do you know if it’s time to bring in a tutor? Is it only when grades start slipping? Or when exams are around the corner?
At KIS Academics, we often hear parents asking this very question. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are signs and situations where tutoring can be especially helpful. And sometimes, acting early can prevent stress before it even starts.
Table of Content:
- When Grades start to Drop
- When They're Feeling Stressed or Overwhelmed
- When They’re Doing Well—but Want to Do Better
- Before a Big Transition
- When You’re Stuck in Homework Battles
- Before Exam Season—Not During
- FAQs
1. When Grades Start to Drop
This one’s obvious, but still worth highlighting. If you’ve noticed a sudden dip in results — or a gradual decline across a term — it could mean your child is struggling to keep up.
Tutoring at this stage isn’t just about “fixing” bad marks. It’s about identifying gaps in understanding, boosting confidence, and setting up better study habits. The earlier this is addressed, the easier it is to bounce back.
2. When They’re Feeling Stressed or Overwhelmed
Not all academic struggles show up on report cards. Sometimes, it’s the emotional signs that speak louder:
- Avoiding homework
- Dreading certain subjects
- Saying “I’m just not good at this” or “I don’t get it”
This is a great moment to bring in a tutor for extra support. At KIS Academics, our tutors are trained to build confidence and create a positive learning environment, which can be just what a stressed-out student needs.
3. When They’re Doing Well—but Want to Do Better
Tutoring isn’t just for students who are struggling. Many families come to KIS Academics because their child is doing fine, but wants to reach the next level.
This might look like:
- Aiming for a selective school or scholarship
- Trying to secure a Band 6 or ATAR goal
- Wanting a challenge beyond what’s taught in class
In these cases, tutoring can give students a competitive edge through extension work, targeted feedback, and exam preparation strategies.
4. Before a Big Transition
Whether it’s the leap from primary to high school, or preparing for Year 11 and 12, transitional years can feel overwhelming. Tutoring during this time can:
- Reinforce foundational skills
- Build time management and study habits
- Ease anxiety about workload and expectations
It’s a proactive way to make sure your child starts strong and stays on track.
5. When You’re Stuck in Homework Battles
We get it. Helping with homework shouldn’t feel like a nightly argument. But for many families, it might.
If you’re finding yourself constantly reminding, nagging, or correcting your child’s schoolwork, it might be time to bring in a neutral third party. A tutor can turn homework from a battleground into a productive (and even enjoyable!) session.
6. Before Exam Season—Not During
We often see a spike in tutoring enquiries right before exam blocks — but ideally, support should start way earlier.
The best tutoring is consistent and long-term. Starting 2–3 months before exams gives your child time to:
- Identify weak spots
- Practice under timed conditions
- Build confidence at a comfortable pace
That way, they’ll walk into the exam room prepared, and not just panic! Ready to try out a tutor today? Check out how tutoring with KIS Academics works and book a free study consultation today!
Final Thoughts
So when is the “right” time to get a tutor?
If your child is showing signs of stress, slipping results, or even just wants to improve, the right time could be now. Tutoring doesn’t have to be a last resort. In fact, for many students, it’s what helps them stay confident, motivated, and ahead of the curve.
At KIS Academics, we make it easy to find the perfect tutor. Whether you’re looking for extra help or an academic edge, we’re here to help you find someone who fits your child’s learning style, goals, and personality.
For more study resources and advice, check out these KIS Academics articles:
FAQs
How do I know my child needs tutoring?
As mentioned, there are a few signs! The most obvious one would be if they tell you they need help, or when their grades start dropping. If you're looking for more advice, check out this KIS Academics article.
How do I find the best tutor for my child?
Talk to your child to find out what they need, and then trial a few different tutors before you make a final decision. For more advice, check out this KIS Academics article.
What happens during the free study skills consultation?
At KIS Academics, our tutors use this session to get to know the students, and find out what their tutoring needs are specifically (like their preferred learning style, what the student needs help with). Using that information, they can then better plan out their future lessons.
Find out more here.
Why is tutoring important?
Apart from just helping students get good grades, tutoring helps to boost students' confidence too! Grades are not the most important thing, but getting good grades can help students feel good about themselves, and not stress out about school all the time. This is more important and impactful than anything else.
Want personalised study guidance to help drastically improve your marks? A private tutor from KIS Academics can make the biggest difference!