Our Children

Setting Students Up for Success

By Natalie Slieter

Believe it or not, kids have been back in school for a couple of months. With parent-teacher conferences coming up soon, Sylvan Learning Center Director Michelle McGuckin says now is the perfect time to assess how well your child is doing in their classes.

McGuckin suggests you first ask your child some questions to gauge where they are at – how are they feeling about school? Do they feel they can do the schoolwork? When they’re at school, do they feel like they’re learning? If your child mentions being unable to pay attention or feels like they’re falling behind where their classmates are at, reach out to your child’s teacher to get their opinion.

If your child's teacher is concerned about their progress,

McGuckin advises having your child complete an assessment at Sylvan Learning Center in Sioux Falls.

Once the results are in and it is determined that tutoring may be the best route, Sylvan can then contact your child’s teacher, with your permission.

“Sylvan is able to work with the teacher on the areas we deem would benefit that student,” McGuckin said. “We can talk to the teacher about what we noticed in our assessment and what they’re noticing in the classroom. It’s a partnership.”

McGuckin notes that with the pandemic over the last year and a half, it’s possible some skills may not have been mastered in a previous grade, which can cause the student some difficulty in understanding new concepts in their current grade.

Unfortunately, teachers don’t always have the time to go back and teach old concepts. That’s where McGuckin emphasizes that partnerships between Sylvan and teachers are crucial.

“We can work together to benefit the students,” McGuckin said.

Sylvan will put together an individualized plan best suited for your child and what subjects they need to focus on to catch up. Sylvan is flexible with scheduling to accommodate students and their busy schedules. For most students, McGuckin shares that it’s recommended they complete four hours of tutoring per week to ensure they get enough exposure to the material.

Ultimately, McGuckin explains that before students complete their tutoring program, Sylvan wants to see them mastering skills above their grade level and gaining confidence to progress and excel in school.

“The goal is to move them through the program, build them up, and then see them supported in the classroom,” McGuckin said.

For more information on Sylvan Learning Center, visit sylvanlearning.com. n

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