Book Review: How to Tutor Reading, Writing & Arithmetic

“It is not necessary to have had formal teaching experience to become a tutor. If you have enjoyed reading to children and answering their questions, then you should enjoy tutoring. With the proper instructional materials, anyone who enjoys children can become a good tutor.” Samuel Blumenfeld (How to Tutor, 1973)

Today’s need for private tutors, and even volunteer helpers, is beyond imagination. Now, nearly half a century from the time that Sam Blumenfeld wrote his book about tutoring, many parents stand, mouths agape, wondering how the schools have arrived in their current state.

Dyslexia is rampant, children are questioning their genders, and frustration and discouragement press young people to behave in ways that previous generations could not possibly have anticipated.

It seems to me that when the public schools took over the educating of our children, so many of us just stepped aside and gave up the territory. We decided to leave it to the professionals. Many were convinced of their personal inadequacies. Those grandparents, aunts and uncles, and even siblings, who were predisposed to the love of teaching, were asked to move aside.

If Sam’s book was necessary in the 70’s, it is even more necessary now.

How to Tutor begins by describing the art of tutoring, and it describes the traits which a parent may look for when choosing a tutor. It also encourages parents to consider their part in the education of their children.

This is not just a text book, even though it serves well as one. It focuses on reading, writing and arithmetic, and it offers useful drills in these areas. Yet, it is above and beyond other resources for tutors. It gives the history and development of the reading and arithmetic. It describes why phonics is foundational to reading. It tells how letters and numbers came about. It provides drills and helpful suggestions. It even offers help in teaching children to write using the cursive alphabet.

If you are looking for educational alternatives for your children, this is a good place to start. It will either convince you that homeschooling is the best way to go, or it may help you understand how to successfully augment the education your children are getting in the schools. If you decide to hire private tutors, it explains how to choose them.

I believe everyone should have some part in the education of our children, and we should all start by educating ourselves.

by Meg Rayborn Dawson

MS, Exceptional Student Education (Univ. of W. Florida) emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis

MA, psychology (Grand Canyon University)

Bachelor of Arts (Northwest Nazarene Univ.)