Sylvan Learning Center Question

**paelthom** · 10-18-2004, 10:19 AM

Has anyone had any experience with Sylvan Learning Centers? They are sort of a tutoring service that is individualized for your child. DD and I have an appt. at one tomorrow. She is really struggling in math, due to not being taught some basic skills in previous grades (mainly multiplication tables). She understands the concepts of doing math but just doesn't know what something times something is. We've tried everything for the last 3 years - flash cards, memorization, computer games, writing them down, etc. Nothing has worked for very long so far. The Sylvan Learning Center is $41 per hour which is outrageous as far as my budget is concerned but then I feel like if we don't get this corrected now, it will only get worse.

So anyone have any thoughts on the Sylvan Learning Centers or any other suggestions?

Doesn't help that I'm good in math and SO is a college prof and is great at teaching - we just can't seem to get her to retain that multiplication stuff.

**kimmee** · 10-18-2004, 10:42 AM

This might be a long shot but my mom taught me multiplication in Kindergarten with beans - I was a very visual/tactile learner - I had to understand and not memorize. so with beans I could see that 3 rows of three was nine, etc. it made it so clear.
I have heard that Sylvan is good but they really DON'T apply to out of the box thinkers, gifted , right brain, etc. They are very standardized learning and drill oriented. They can teach but your daught will probably be faced with the same issues she is having now - where you have to discover how she processes. I have some literature on this - I will find it and email it to you.

**Ellise** · 10-18-2004, 10:43 AM

I've had several friends that have taken their children to Sylvan, with the majorityhaving end up hiring a private tutor.
I've also heard good things about Sylvan, so I'm up in the air on it.

You can always ask at the schoolor the teacher for the name of a tutor, usually about $15.00 an hour, I did this for a while and then DS took it over before we moved.

**AmyBoz** · 10-18-2004, 02:39 PM

If the basics are where she's struggling, than this is a good thing...skill/drill is just what she needs. I used to teach at the Huntington Learning Center (much like Sylvan) and those are the types of problems they cater to.

**paelthom** · 10-19-2004, 10:10 AM

After struggling thru last night's homework, I am really hoping for a good tour at the Learning Center today. The main problem I foresee right now is that they want her to miss a day of school to do the evaluation/assessment test and I don't like that idea. If we end up doing this, I am going to push for the testing to be done on a school holiday/teacher workday or a Saturday. They only want to test on Tue and Thurs. but since I'm paying, I think they should work with me.

**pip** · 10-19-2004, 04:55 PM

We had my oldest son go to Sylvan for a few months, and it was very expensive. His grades actually dropped even lower (which was hard to believe!). We then took him to be evaluated, and he was diagnosed with adhd. After talking to others whose kids also had adhd and had gone to Sylvan, they agreed that Sylvan was maybe not the best environment for them,because there is a lot of stimulation and movement going on in the room. I think a private tutor might have better for my son; less distractions,more individual attention, and less $. (Aren't things always more clear in retrospect?

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**mrscornbread** · 10-20-2004, 08:50 AM

Pat, when I see children struggling lke this, I teach from the hands on approach, like Kimmee said, some children are tactile learners. Beans, buttons, drawing stars etc, can often help to understand what is actually going on. We can all just do rote multiplication, but when we understand what is really happening, real learning begins to take place. Try the beans and see if it helps.

Hugs to you Ryan

**paelthom** · 10-25-2004, 01:59 PM

We did the Sylvlan tour and after talking to another mother with a child who attends and goes to dd school, we are looking at finding a private tutor. I'm asking around at the school and checking with some other moms whose kids are getting tutoring. I think the Sylvan program is great, but am just not sure it is really cost effective for what we need. I may end up having to go with them, but for now, I'm looking at private tutoring.