AS parents, the ultimate goal for your child is to see them improve both their grades as well as self-esteem. However, in today’s society, with the high cost of living, parents are required to go out to society and work. In other words, they are no longer able to put in just as much effort to educate and groom their child to achieve that ultimate goal.

What’s the alternative solution? Get a tutor!

Tutors are those who teach a specific educational subject or skill to an individual or small group of students. Such attention allows the tutor to improve knowledge or skills far more rapidly than in a classroom setting.

However, you can’t just get any tutor, you need the “right tutor”. But the question, really is how to pick the right tutor for your child?

Parents usually have a couple places they can turn to. They either ask a neighbor who might then refer them to someone down the street they heard was a teacher, or they will ask the guidance office at the school that will give them a list of twenty tutors or tutoring services.

They might even ask the teacher as well, but most schools will not allow teachers to tutor students from the same school for compensation and the time the teacher gives after or before school just isn't enough.

Alternatively, in the age of the internet, parents can also plough through the list of Classifieds websites such as 88DB.com, which has its own Tuition category.

So exactly what should you look for in a tutor? Here are some tips:

1. Good Fit. Look for a friendly tutor who clicks with your child. A good fit will enable your child to enjoy his/her tutoring sessions and subsequently will provide a better learning experience, allowing your children to enjoy learning and ultimately learn more.

If you pick a learning centre instead – make sure that your child feels welcome and comfortable in the centre, and that all the staff, including the teachers, are friendly. In a learning center, your child may or may not get the same teacher every time, which can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your child’s personality.

2. Knowledgeability. It is important to find an experienced tutor to have a successful experience. The level of experience required is up to you – a college degree in the subject area may be sufficient, or you may want a certified teacher with experience in the classroom. Common levels of experience include:

Mention a few centres whose tutors are all degree holders. Preferably, centres that are enlisted in 88DB.com. However, you need to take note that you are expected to pay either a higher or lower rate, depending on the level of experience.

Tutors cost money, and good tutors cost good money. Make sure you get what you are paying for.

3. Passion. Look for a tutor who is passionate, because that will be the person who will make tutoring fun for your child. If you are not comfortable with a tutor for any reason, or if your child does not click well with the tutor, then you need to make the effort to find another tutor. Ask around to see what other moms or teachers recommend, and know that although a tutor is not a quick fix to a problem, with the right tutor, it can be a steady fix. Interview a mother or a student.