A 'tutored' child V an 'untutored' child.

Perhaps I’ve been in my own little bubble for the last 4 years that we have been working so hard on this precious business or perhaps true to my character, I’ve really not paid attention to the opinions of others.

This will trigger many of you. So let me start by saying this. I do not write this post with the intention of triggering anyone. I write this post to explain the truth to you. The truth that no one else is brave enough to tell you to your face.

People will look down on what we do. They will turn up their noses. They will say ridiculous things like, ‘Oh, you don’t teach a 1/2/3/4 year old!’ and ‘Oh they’re just going in to play anyway! What will you even ‘teach’ them.’ People will totally undermine what we do and think that what they do is better than what we do. And guess what - they can do when they want.

What we do is truly amazing and very special. What we do is support all of our students and all of our clients to have the highest chances for success in their assessments. And for that, I am very proud and honoured. Our clients trust us. Our clients respect us. Our clients know how rare it is to find teachers like us who are willing and able to support their children with their learning.

Let’s take a look at part of a real Assessment feedback sheet and how a ‘tutored’ V an ‘untutored’ child would perform.

Assessment Criteria 1 at X school

Mark Making

Tutored child - Will have excellent pencil control and hold their pencil correctly. Will be able to write their name perfectly and write numbers accurately. Will be able to draw and effective and detailed picture.

Untutored child - Will not know what pencil control means (will scribble). Will not know how writer their name or will not know how to do it to the standard expected. Will not form their numbers correctly .

Assessment Criteria 2 at X school

Words and letters

Tutored child - Will be able to recognise all single letters and their corresponding sounds. Will be able to blend cvc words beautifully and with confidence.

Untutored child - Will not know all of their phase 2 and phase 3 sounds. Will not be able to blend cvc words.

Numbers and basic arithmetic

Tutored child - Will be able to identify and write all numbers to 20. Will have a strong understanding of mathematical concepts and number vocabulary. Will know how to do simple addition and subtraction.

Untutored child - Will not be able to identify all numbers and will not be able to write all numbers to 10. Will not have a strong understanding of mathematical concepts and number vocabulary. Will not know how to do simple addition and subtraction.

Let me be clear. What I mean by ‘tutored’ child is a child that has been taught how to do something.

What I mean by ‘untutored’ child is a child who has not been taught how to do something.

Obviously it’s not as simplistic as this and all children are different. For example, my son has been tutored since he was 17 months old and he still can write or identify numbers 1-5 and he doesn’t know his phase 2 and phase 3 phonics single sounds yet.

If a child is not taught how to do something, how will they know how to do it?