Frequently asked questions about early education tutoring
Who benefits the most from tutoring?
- Families looking to get their children into the most competitive schools: The most competitive schools use test scores as a cut-off requirement. Students without very high scores will not be considered. Don’t leave your eligibility for the best schools to chance.
- Families with children who were born in late spring and summer. Children born in the spring and summer have not had as much time as children born earlier in the year to practice and develop skills that are tested.
- Children who need strengthening of their impulse control or fine motor skills. Impulse control, or the ability to pay attention and complete tasks when asked, is extremely important for your child to do their best on the actual test date. Fine motor skills, like pencil grip and handwriting, will also be judged during most admissions tests. We have tutors with degrees in occupational therapy who can help your child with fine motor skills.
Can tutoring for 3-6 year-olds really be effective?
Yes, we’ve seen the results of improved test scores based on tutoring in our client base. Aristotle Circle was the first company to publish a guide to preparing children ages 3-6 for the ERB and other tests. We did this by consulting and collaborating with dozens of early childhood education experts to not only get insights on what is in the tests but also what the best ways are to teach children the skills they will need. Regular practice with skills can have a big effect on a child’s performance on the test.
How many sessions do families usually sign up for?
The number of sessions per family will vary from child to child. Many families use our tutoring weekly for 3-4 months to build incremental change. Others schedule 2-3 sessions a week for a shorter duration, based on testing deadlines. Still other families might use tutoring for just 2-3 sessions to brush up skills and build confidence before the real test. The bottom line is number of sessions you use will be based on your family’s needs and your child’s best earning style. Our tutors give parents honest feedback about when a child is ready for the real test.
How is tutoring different than the Aristotle Circle workbooks?
Our tutors never use the workbooks during sessions. Tutors use a tailored mix of games and toys that are personalized to your child’s interests. Tutoring for 3-6 year olds resembles a one-on-one play date much more than a study session. Our tutors get the best results by interacting with the child in a natural play environment where the child is having fun.
Who are the Aristotle Circle tutors and how are they trained?
Aristotle Circle tutors have Phds or are Phd candidates in early childhood education, child psychology or occupational therapy. All of our tutors go through a hands-on training with Director of Childhood Development Dr. Kim Har on the Aristotle Circle best practices and tutoring methods. Contact our office to get specific tutors bios and availability.
What are the benefits of getting tutoring?
- Reduce stress of preparing for an admissions test by getting professional help.
- Chance for your child to practice with someone unfamiliar to them. Remember: They will be taking the test with a stranger.
- Professional perspective on when your child is ready for the test.
- New activity suggestions to do outside the tutoring sessions that are tailored to your child
- A hands-on professional coach who can discuss strategies and can approach any struggles your child may have with a wide range of strategies