Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who assess your child's current reading level, identify areas for improvement, and create a customized learning plan. Tutors use evidence-based strategies like guided reading, phonemic awareness practice, and comprehension questions to build confidence and skills. Sessions are tailored to your child's pace and learning style, with regular progress monitoring to ensure steady growth.

Expert tutors teach elementary readers strategies to actively engage with texts—like making predictions, asking questions while reading, and connecting stories to their own experiences. They help students identify main ideas, understand character motivations, and discuss themes in age-appropriate ways. With personalized instruction, students develop stronger comprehension skills and learn to think critically about what they read.

The first session is focused on getting to know your child and understanding their reading abilities, interests, and challenges. A tutor will likely do some informal assessment—asking your child to read aloud, answer comprehension questions, and discuss their favorite books—to establish a baseline. This information helps the tutor design a personalized plan that builds on your child's strengths and addresses their needs.

Yes. Reading fluency—the ability to read smoothly and with expression—develops through repeated, supported practice with texts at the right level. Tutors use techniques like repeated reading, echo reading, and choral reading to build speed and automaticity while keeping reading enjoyable. As fluency improves, students typically gain confidence and are more willing to tackle new and challenging books.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have strong backgrounds in elementary education, reading instruction, or related fields. Many have formal training in literacy development, phonics, and comprehension strategies. All tutors are carefully selected and vetted to ensure they can provide expert, personalized instruction tailored to each student's needs.

Reading together daily—even for 15-20 minutes—makes a huge difference. Let your child choose books they're interested in, ask them questions about the story, and celebrate their progress. Your tutor can recommend specific strategies and books matched to your child's level, plus suggest ways you can reinforce lessons between sessions. Consistent home support combined with personalized tutoring accelerates growth.

Tutoring rates vary based on factors like tutor expertise, session length, and frequency. Varsity Tutors works with families to find options that fit their budget and schedule. Contact us to discuss your child's needs and get a personalized quote—many families find that the targeted progress from personalized instruction is a worthwhile investment in their child's academic foundation.