“5 Shocking Things Tutors Know About Your Kid That You Don’t”

Tutors get a front-row seat to who your child becomes when they’re not trying to please a teacher or meet your expectations. As a parent, you see your child in their daily lives, including morning routines, homework struggles, or even late-night studying sessions, but when you hand them off to a tutor, a different side of your child emerges. Here are 5 surprising things tutors often know about your child that you probably don’t:

1. They’re Smarter Than Their Grades Show

Tutors quickly learn that many kids aren’t performing poorly because they don’t understand the material, they’re just overwhelmed, disorganized, or anxious. Some students are bored in class, others are afraid to ask questions. In one-on-one sessions, the lightbulb moments come fast. Tutors often discover your child grasps concepts way beyond their grade level.

2. They’re Afraid to Fail

One of the most heartbreaking things tutors witness is a student who pretends not to care, or try, when in reality, they care too much. Fear of failure is paralyzing. It leads to procrastination, avoidance, and “I don’t know” responses that are really code for “I’m scared to be wrong.” Perfectionism is something students always try to achieve.

3. They Talk Differently When You’re Not Around

Children drop their guard in tutoring sessions. Tutors often hear unfiltered thoughts about school, friends, stress, and sometimes even parents. These insights can be raw but revealing. They give a glimpse into what’s really going on emotionally and socially. Your child may be more self-aware than you think, but doesn’t know how to tell you.

4. They Learn in Unexpected Ways

Some children memorize best by doodling, hands on activities, etc;. Some need to walk around while reciting facts. Many don’t even know their own learning style until a tutor experiments with different strategies. Tutors often uncover the secret sauce that helps your child actually retain and apply information.

5. They’re Under Way More Pressure Than You Realize

Whether it's social comparison, test anxiety, or internal expectations, children today carry invisible loads. Tutors become confidants, hearing the quiet panic behind a student’s need to “keep up.” Sometimes a child will burst into tears over what seemed like a simple math problem—not because of the math, but because of everything else.Your child might be silently drowning in pressure, even if they look “fine.”

Tutors don’t just teach subjects, they uncover struggles, strengths, and stories that get lost in the noise of everyday life. Your child is deeper, more complex, and more capable than their report card will ever reveal. If you want to know what’s really going on with your child, ask their tutor. The answers might surprise you, and help you support your child in ways that truly matter.