Building Confidence in Young Learners Through Tutoring

Confidence goes a long way, and for some, developing confidence can take a lifetime. That’s why cultivating confidence early is key to a child’s holistic development. However, as parents, we are often too swamped by our 9-5 jobs and may sometimes neglect our children. Without consistent adult guidance, children may start to doubt their abilities and hesitate more and more. Luckily, parents always have the option to hire a professional tutor! Tutors can do more than help students with their homework. A great tutor can give students the necessary skills to solve their own problems. One such skill, and yes, it is a skill, is confidence.

Why is Confidence Important in Academic Success 

Psychologist Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy theory suggests that a student’s belief in their ability to succeed plays a key role in their motivation and performance. According to Bandura, students who believe they can accomplish a task are more likely to actually accomplish those tasks. Let’s say a child believes they can ace a test; although proper prep is still required, their self-efficacy helps them overcome negative emotions such as anxiety and doubt, allowing them to perform better. A huge aspect that contributes to self-efficacy is, of course, confidence. 

Studies have consistently shown that confidence and academic performance are closely linked. A meta-analysis published in the Review of Educational Research found that students who are more confident tend to set higher goals for themselves, thus making them work and study harder. This, of course, leads to higher grades. Another study highlights confidence and self-efficacy in the student’s engagement with learning. Learners who are confident actively contribute to the classroom and seek to better themselves.  

Studies have also shown that a lack of confidence can often hinder a child’s learning experience. John Sweller’s Cognitive Load Theory, for example, suggests that stress and anxiety (when not overcome by confidence) can occupy one’s working memory and thus is not able to perform as efficiently as one can.  

If your child is frequently anxious and is unable to find their confidence, it can be a risk that affects them in their grade, which can ripple all through their lives. Tutoring, when done effectively, reinforces the ideas we explained earlier by providing the student with a supportive environment for them to build their confidence. 

How Tutoring Helps Build Confidence in Young Learners

Backed up by our very own expert tutors, we asked them how they encourage learners to step out of their shells. Here are four key ways they can build your child’s confidence:

1. Using Personalized Learning To Promote Academic Success

Personalized Learning is a tutor’s most potent tool. A good reason why your child seems to be having low performance at school may be that the classroom setting does not cater to their needs. Not feeling like they’re in their element can contribute to a lack of confidence. 

However, because of the nature of tutoring—one-on-one in the safety of the child’s home—the tutor can deliver a more personalized learning experience. When a tutor utilizes personalized learning, they highlight the child’s strengths and work slowly until your child starts to feel confident in their own skills. 

Let’s say, for example, a child struggling with math may feel anxious in class but, through one-on-one tutoring, can work through problems at their own pace. As they master concepts previously seen as difficult, their confidence grows, making them more willing to engage in future lessons.

2. A Safe Space to Ask Questions

Classrooms can be a bit daunting for some kids. Teachers can come across as a bit intimidating. Because of this, some students tend to lie low rather than actively participate in class, like asking questions out of various fears such as embarrassment. However, when these same children interact with a tutor one-on-one, they feel more comfortable, given the tutor has facilitated a safe, judgment-free environment. Tutors can also effectively pry and encourage the students they handle to speak up more. Normally, classroom teachers may not have the capacity for such individual needs, but tutors are free to try different strategies to encourage one child. 

Let’s give another example: A middle school student struggling with reading may avoid participating in class discussions. However, in a one-on-one tutoring session, they feel safe practicing aloud, leading to greater fluency and self-assurance when speaking in class.

3. Positive Reinforcement Builds Self-Efficacy 

Great tutors always use positive reinforcement to encourage students. However, this doesn’t mean content praise and empty compliments. This type of reinforcement occurs at critical moments of a child’s learning experience. For example, a student is working through a tough math problem and is clearly frustrated after getting it wrong a few times. They’re about to give up, saying, “I’m stupid.” At that exact moment, a great tutor steps in—not with a generic “You’re smart,” but with targeted encouragement like, “I saw how you broke that down step by step—that’s exactly what strong problem-solvers do. You’re on the right track.” This specific praise helps shift the student’s mindset from defeat to determination, giving them the confidence to try again. Over time, the student internalizes this mindset and becomes more resilient when facing new challenges.

4. Encourages Independence and a Growth Mindset

A common pitfall some tutors create is making the student dependent on them. Dependence shows that the student has not gained confidence, and perhaps only worsened their anxiety (thus the need to depend on the tutor). A great tutor must strike a balance between guiding the student and letting them lead their own learning. This instills confidence in their ability to tackle challenges on their own. Instead of simply providing answers, a tutor teaches students how to find resources, break down problems, and self-correct mistakes. Over time, the student becomes more self-reliant, feeling empowered to solve problems without assistance.

Tutoring at Cardinal Education: Why our Students Love Us!

Beyond possessing all the essential qualities of a great tutor, our tutors are expertly trained and among the best in the field. At Cardinal Education, we don’t just toss your child to the next available tutor and hope for the best. We believe the right match makes all the difference, so we take the time to pair each student with someone who truly fits their personality, learning style, and family preferences. Are you a kid who needs structure? We’ll find a tutor who thrives on organization and clear steps. Have a deep thinker who loves to ask “why” about everything? 

We’ll match them with someone who embraces curiosity instead of shutting it down. Some students need a patient and encouraging guide, while others click best with a high-energy tutor who keeps them on their toes. And if your family is only comfortable working with a female tutor, we make that our top consideration when matching. Bottom line: no random pairings here. Just thoughtful, personalized matches that turn tutoring from a chore into something your child actually looks forward to.

We offer help by giving your child the necessary skills to excel both in their academics and admissions. With academic coaching and test prep, we ensure students are in their best shape to tackle any tasks! We also offer tutoring services for core subjects that cater to your child’s needs. 

Contact us today and let our experts guide you!

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