Can Tutoring Improve Cognitive Skills and Learning?

For some students, school can be a daily challenge. Whether they struggle to focus in class, haven’t grasped the material, or lack the underlying skills needed to effectively learn, school can be tough for them and a constant source of stress. When you want to support your learner, tutoring is the most likely option to be recommended. But you may be wondering: Does it help with cognitive skills?  

Tutoring can be a great option depending on students and their specific needs—but it isn’t designed with everyone in mind. If your student has worked with a tutor and had limited success, or found the same frustrations they deal with in the classroom, they’re not alone. While this learning support has many benefits, it can be a tough experience for students who struggle with underlying cognitive skills like focus, logic and reasoning, and visual processing. 

It helps to know more about how tutoring works, what challenges it’s particularly well-suited for, and where it’s limited. Along the way, we’ll explore alternative options for honing cognitive skills. When your student is struggling, it can be tough—but it’s just the first step for finding them the right support for their needs. 

Understanding the Limits of Tutoring

How Tutoring Works 

Understanding how tutoring often falls short for learners requires understanding how it works in the first place. This form of academic support can take a few different formats, from one-on-one support to small-group and large-group assistance. Despite these differing options, the actual methods and outcomes are often similar across the board. 

A tutor is usually meant to serve the same role as a teacher. Their goal is to impart the same information as in a classroom environment, typically so students can catch up with the existing curriculum. 

When can this be helpful for learners? It’s great for those who typically excel in a classroom environment but who have fallen behind in a class. Maybe they’ve missed a few days or struggled with a particular teacher’s teaching methods. In these instances, tutoring is often successful. 

But for those who already have a hard time in school, this form of learning support can feel like more of the same. It’s no surprise that so many students experience difficulties even with the help of a tutor. 

Where Cognitive Skills Come Into Play

For many learners, it’s not about struggling with a particular lesson from a particular class. It’s about the underlying skills required to effectively focus, understand, remember, and apply overall subjects. These are core cognitive skills—those learning and thinking skills required again and again in the classroom, and well beyond school, too. 

When kids lack a strong foundation of cognitive skills, time spent with the materials won’t necessarily help if they need more time working on their skills. A tutor doesn’t typically cover those skill gaps, only gaps in the curriculum. 

But there are other forms of learning support for students of all ages—like one-on-one brain training from LearningRx. Let’s take a look at what that entails. 

Targeting Cognitive Skills with LearningRx

At LearningRx, instead of offering tutoring services, we provide brain training. This form of training targets underlying gaps in working memory, logic and reasoning, focus, and other cognitive skills.   

We know that when a student makes gains in their cognitive skills, they can become more adept at learning, thinking, remembering, and reading. With an individualized approach that takes each learner’s needs into account, our programs are dynamic and intense. They’re designed to keep students engaged, motivated, and excited to explore new abilities. 

Learners work with a dedicated brain trainer through drills, games, and exercises. This helps them practice and exercise their cognitive skills. As they advance through their personalized program, they can take on harder challenges. For students who have a hard time in the classroom, it can be a huge change of pace—and a completely transformative way to approach learning!  To get started, learn more about how we tailor our approach to every student’s unique cognitive skills. You can visit us online to learn more or get in touch with LearningRx at 1-866-BRAIN-01.