Have any of you ever done this before? It's mainly for folks in their mid 50's to early 60's or so. But I think that it's so rewarding and nice to help a child with his educational skills and to help him or her to read better!!

I do a volunteer job tutoring and working with small children at a school. I help them with their reading skills by reading to them as well as getting them to read with and to me. I also help them with any difficult words that are difficult for them to pronounce.

One particular little boy - an 8-year-old who attends 3rd grade, out of the four that I tutor, has become very attached to me and wants me there to be with him as often as possible. He has some difficulty reading, but nevertheless, he tries his best to read for me. I deeply applaude his efforts!

He told me yesterday that I'm probably wasting my time helping him because he has trouble reading. He knows that he has a problem with reading. I asked him why would he say that. He shrugged his shoulders and said he didn't know. Looking him dead in the face and with my hands on his shoulders, I assured him that it's ok, that it's not his fault and that I'm there to help him no matter what, and that I WANT to help him overcome his problem with reading and that I have absolutely NO intention of giving up on him whatsoever, and nor will I ever make him feel embarrassed or ashamed of himself because he has trouble reading.

I also kindly said to him that he should NEVER have to think that way about himself and that he should not be putting himself down like that or thinking any less of himself and that he should feel proud of what he's trying to accomplish. That I'm there for him no matter what! He said ok in his most soft-spoken voice.

I've also become very attached to him. He's a very funny kid and he just LOVES to talk immensely about whatever he's reading about! He gets into these really deep & intense conversations that intrigue me so much and knocks me out!! I really get a kick out of him!! He likes to read mainly about science, nature and animals.

Since I began tutoring him, we've formed a very strong bond and attachment with each other. We get along with each other really well!

I told the coordinator that I want to tutor him again in the next simester as well. I really like him a lot, and he has great admiration for me. That right there, makes me feel so proud of him, and I'm so proud to be helping him!! He tells me that I'm a very funny guy! I guess I DO entertain him a lot, help put a smile on his face and make him giggle a lot! I like seeing him happy - all of them. He truly enjoys my company!! I almost feel kind of like a father figure or an uncle to him. He's really a great little kid!!

Congratultions, working with children is the most rewarding job in the world

Hi. I've experienced personal tutoring twice in the past, although not in a voluntary way.

The first I was hired as a private tutor to a child who was having problems in school. The most wonderful thing about it was when I started seeing how the child assimilated all that I've taught her - even the way words were pronounced - and how we got so close to each other. I was able to motivate her to learn and more importantly, to have confidence.

The second instance we were a group doing community immersion for our practicum in class. We had review with the graduating elementary students in preparation for their taking the entrance test for secondary school. And even after our semester ended in school, we still continuously returned to the school of those kids and we even attended their graduation.

Everytime I see one of them now, they would always remember. It feels so good that I was able to impart something to them.


bloom... wherever you are planted...

orange-and-green

footsteps-of-the-sun

Yes it is and thanks!!

I sometimes cry for this little boy who is reaching out to me for help because he really is a dear sweet boy who has really and immediately latched onto me and likes to read and talk with me a lot!! He has opened up with me and speaks freely with whatever is on his mind!

I truly have nothing but great respect and admiration for him!! If I could find some way to do it, I'd also happily tutor him on my own time as well!! He's well worth the time and effort.

That is exactly how I feel about the boy. I also mentor his sister when she can see me.

Her brother and I really relate and connect with each other one on one very greatly!!

I'm really touched and warmed by the way that he has so aggressively gotten so close to me!! He's very unique in his own special little way. He honestly has a heart of gold as well!!

Daquan HI!

Wow this is very impressive and you have a heart of gold...so commendable indeed..I want to encourage you to be diligent in your matters with these children..but its in you already and I am so touched by that...What a blessing you must be to this lil guy...WOW..thats the kind of love that makes the world go round..

Sherri

Thank you!

Words alone just can't describe how this boy touches my heart so powerfully and deeply!! He makes me feel so important to be with him. I think the world of him!!

This boy replaces another little boy who was dropped from the tutoring program because the coordinator felt that the boy didn't seem to show enough interest in reading.

I felt so bad and heartbroken for him because I became so deeply attached to THAT boy as well and wanted to continue working with him. I felt that I was getting somewhere with him!! I feel so badly for him because it's just like they just gave up on him because they didn't think he was showing enough interest in reading.

I still see the boy in the school cafeteria and he'll run up to me and give me a great big hug and I give him a big hug back!!

He still remembers me, I'm so glad!! I'd also happily tutor him again, if he is ever to be reinstated back into the tutoring program!!


So now, I have THIS boy. I think that he feels lonesome at home with no male siblings to play with and talk to. And that when I started tutoring him, he began to look at me as his male role model. He really is a sweet darling little boy! He needs an adult friend to talk to and to share his thoughts and views with. He probably has male friends his age in his neighborhood. But there's nothing like having one or more brothers to pay with and talk to!

He feels almost like a son to me. When it comes to him and the other kids, I got a very soft heart for them. Especially for THIS boy! He's truly a gem!! I'm so glad that I met him! I begged the coordinator not to drop THIS boy from the program! He said that he won't.

He really wants to learn, and even though he may not be the best reader there, I like him reguardless! I just want to help him read and be his mentor! He feels the same about me as well. He's very special to me! I found myself becoming so deeply attached to him as well. And why not? He is a very sweet talkative and very bright- outspoken little boy. I love him with all my heart!!

He likes to engage very heavily and seriously in ultra-long talks about certain things that we read about and happily relate with about together! I just get a real kick out of him doing that!


This is how good he feels about me and wants me to be in his life;

Next week is school (spring break) vacation. He even wanted me to tutor him that week as well!! I'd have been more than happy to be with him and tutor him, but the school is closed. He wants me there to be with him even on my days off. I'll do it just for him! What a sweet kid! Guess you could say that he wants me all to himself. I'll miss him dearly while he's on vacation!

He wants to spend even MORE & MORE & MORE time with me - as much as he can get it, but because of the time constraints, I feel so terribly sorry that I can't have him with me longer to give him the attention and guidance that he needs and craves. He gives me the feeling that his dad probably isn't always around with him.

I wish that I could spend a day with him, mentor him, take him out to lunch, a movie and just talk with him one-on-one about whatever he likes to talk about. Like a Big Brother. And just let him talk away about the things that he likes and likes to do!! Let him just be a kid and share his thoughts and views with me!!!

I just love listening to him talk!! He sounds very well educated and interlectual! I'm learning quite a lot from this boy! They say that you're never too old to learn. Even if a child wants to teach you something!!

As a matter of fact, he never argues with me, nor does he ever dispute me at all. When I tell him something surprising about the topics in the books that we like to read to each other - something that he never even knew about, he'll look at me in surprise, in shock and in awe with his eyes and mouth wide open and he'll usually gasp in complete amazement! I absolutely LOVE to see that expression and watch him do that!! "Wow, I didn't know that! Boy, I'm so glad that you're tutoring me. You're telling me things that I never knew!", he often says. I just have to rub him on his head and smile at him! He'll smile back at me. He's awesome!!

He told me that he wants to become a football player for the NFL. I explained to him that he has to work real hard at it, and that in order for him to reach his goal, that he would have to finish school and maybe go on to college football. He also said that he'd like to become a zooologist. With strength, determination and hard work, I think he'll do it!

But that's years away. For now, I just want to see him just be a kid, enjoy life and take full advantage of his happy childhood.


He has two sisters attending the same school. One is 15, the other is 11. He's the only boy in his immdediate family. I've got a hunch that since he's the only boy and the fact that he has no brothers, he more than likely looks up to me as his big brother! He really likes me an awful lot. That really means a lot to me. He stole my heart, and I just became his friend and confidant. I'm so proud and happy to be in his life and to be helping him!! I'm like a big ole spoiled teddy bear to him and the others!

Hopefully, I'll get to meet and become friends with his parents and they'll let me take him out on Saturdays to lunch and a movie or something!! I may get that chance to soon, as there IS a family outing for the kids sometime in June. I want to go there to see him and meet his parents. I feel very honored and happy to be working with this little boy! He's like the son that I never had!!

I give him kind advice on things in life, and he accepts it with much grateful appreciativeness. He's become my little buddy!! I'd LOVE to be his best adult friend and help guide him in the right direction!

I wish that I could adopt him as my son!! He gives me real pleasure by spending time with me, as he makes me feel like a kid again myself!! He's a sweet adorable little boy!!

He likes quiet surroundings, and when the teens come down, they are often rowdy, noisy and rambunctious! He says to me quietly in my ear; "I don't like when they come down here because they are too noisy." I agree with him and said; "Yeah, they ARE noisy and rambunctious, aren't they?"

I get so appretiative of him wanting to be in my presence that I sometimes shed a few tears for him, because he doesn't seem to have any male roll models in his life other than his dad, whom he talks about from time to time! I'm crying for him now! He seems to have no other male person at home to talk to.

He's a very bright kid, and I hope that he grows up to be a very good young responsible teenager and adult!!

Kids like this, I NEVER want to see become an adult. I'd want them to stay little forever!! They just look so cute! I can't help it, I'm so proud of him and I'm really attached to him as though he were my very own child!!! He just can't get enough of me!!

Hey Daquan...this is amazing, God is using your special abilities to a profound degree of making his work in this life ART..children are ART, a work in progress is the lettering I used to mark the walls of my Sunday school class when I taught 2 year old children...I was the childrens church administrator for two years and let me tell you it was beautiful to see these children develop in character week by week.

Children are rewarding and very enlightening..its very painful to see abuse happen with them and too them equally so..Some were bussed in and others arrived with family for the Sunday morning church service, so a little of both worlds revealed...

Keep up the good work, as you are being placed in a very delicate position dealing with children, it is a gift and not one that is used lightly in any respect..so onward with your gift as it will sit in the heart of these children for a lifetime...and thats what its all about..Love conquers all.

Sherri

Yes you're right! This boy was me 50 years or so ago! I had the same problem with reading. Only there were no tutorers around back then!

I love ALL of them, but this particular boy warms and softens my heart so powerfully like no other!!

I want to continue working with him and help him read better. He really looks up to me as his role model! We've both taken a great liking to each other. It's a wonderful thing!

So naturally, I'm treating him very special over the others - like gold! I probably should be treating all the kids equally like that, but I just can't help it. This boy has gotten so much closer to me than the other kids have!

And I strongly feel that it's because he's the only boy and that he has no male siblings to play with or talk to at home. Only his two sisters, his mom and his dad.

So when he began having his reading sessions with me, he's been and continues feeling very comfortable with me and he's gotten very friendly with me as well.

I just can't stop talking and thinking about him and I'm so grateful that he likes me a lot!

I volunteered to tutor 3rd graders in one of the troublesome areas of the island. I am glad I did it, and the kids that I tutored were fortunate to have my help.

It's certainly a wonderful thing and is a joy to help kids at school and to mentor them so that they can have the love and guidance and be steered in the right direction!! Means that you're giving back one of the most precious gifts of all - helping a child to improve on his/her educational skills!!

I did that with two of my nephews when the were little boys! I took them out a lot, let them come over for weekend sleepovers and watched them just be kids enjoying their childhood. To this very day, they NEVER forgot what I did for them, and when their dad died, they thanked me for all the good times that I allowed them to have with me, and took me out to dinner!! I'm like their 2nd dad now, since their real dad with no longer with us.

They'll thank you for it in the long run. I love doing it! And I just LOVE to hear this little boy talk away on the subjects that he likes to read about!! I just can't help it, I truly care about him now, and I just can't get enough of him and his fastinating talking & wisdom!!

He makes me feel so happy when he's with me!! Much like a stress reliever! That's part of what helping a child is all about! This boy likes to read and talk, and he just LOVES to read mainly about science, nature and animals!! He really puts the effort into his work! I'm so proud of him!!

When you are with kids, and you get so close to them, you have the tendency to feel all kinds of emotions. It's so easy to feel for the kids and then to feel with them at the same time.

The girl I tutored was the eldest, so I think she also saw me as an elder sister. And I think one reason some kids get so close to their teachers is that we don't emit an imposing authority like some parents do. Therefore, they can open to us easily.

Getting close to a child is really a gift. It is the way a child opens to us and allows us to mold him.

bloom... wherever you are planted...

orange-and-green

footsteps-of-the-sun

I honestly feel the same way with this boy.

His 11-year-old sister, I tutor as well. She likes to read about Black History, and would like to own her own hair salon one day. The three of them are all Afro-American, as you might have guessed by now. Their oldest sibling (also a girl) is in high school (same school).

She (the 11-year-old one) gets the lunchtime mentoring, while her brother comes down for reading sessions. Even though I love and respect her as well, it's her brother who makes us feels the closeness to to each other.

Usually, girls look up to women, while boys look up to men - hence the Big Sister / Big Brother Program. It's natural that they do that. I've had lots of kids look up to me in the past, mostly boys. So this boy is no different. He's doing the same thing!

Mainly because HE has no brothers to whom he can relate to for love, guidance and leadership, so I strongly believe that it is for THIS reason that the boy also looks up to me as his older "brother". He is truly heart-warming and a very kind and caring person!! He loves to talk!! We had fun yesterday! It's the boy/guy thing, I imagine. Anyway, he LOVES to be with me! I like the way that he took to me so quickly!!

He's very polite and considerate, and I've never seen him in a bad mood or angry with anyone! Just a little tired at times. He likes to stay up kind of late. I explaned to him that staying up late will definitely make him a little tired the next day.

I still try to get him to read a little though. He probably still feels embarassed to read in front of me since he has trouble with some of the words, but I always let him know that it's ok and that he doesn't ever have to worry or be ashamed to try it with me. I told him that I'll NEVER yell or scream at him. I like him an awful lot, and I want to be there for him and help him in any way to get over this problem that he has with reading.

I also told him that I'll never abandon him at all. I'm with him for the LONG HAUL. I just can't help the way that I feel about this boy!! He's so sweet and respectable. He just makes my heart melt!!

I want to see this boy become a WINNER and be better than I was!! All of them!! I want them all to come to me later and be able to say "Thanks for helping me at school."

Because I DON'T want him to be dropped from the tutoring program like the other little boy was. That to me, was so wrong!!

Today while I was in the school cafeteria waiting in line to get lunch, the boy who I tutor noticed me there.

He came over to me, said hi. I greeted him back and asked him how everything's going. He said fine. He then leaned his body and head on me and he gave me a great big hug! I hugged him back, of course.

He then said; "Thank you, Daquan13, for helping me with my reading. I like you a lot". I said to him; "You are very welcome, and I like you a lot also!" I was truly amazed that he did that! I was really flabbergasted and so very pleased that he took the time to come over to me and say that!!! That really made my day!!

Just to hear that coming from him made me feel so proud of him! I was really touched and happy to hear it come from him!! He really likes me and my helping him! I truly commend him with his efforts to read.

When he came downstairs for his reading session, I thanked him enormously for saying that to me. I really like and enjoy reading with and to him!! He's in my heart now. I really want to tutor him as long as I can!

My little buddy; He's really a very nice sweet kid!! He said to another child; "Daquan13 is not my buddy, he's my friend." "Yes I am your buddy and you're my little buddy. And you're right, we're friends as well.", I said to him. He smiled at me and shook my hand! Then he said that he's not little.

He does not like to be refered to as being little. He likes to be called a young boy, which he is. So I'll refer to him as that.

I told him that he's not big yet either, and that he has plenty of time to become a teen, and that I want him to enjoy his childhood to the fullest.

This other child, a girl who is in his class, later said to him while he was reading; "You can't read." When she's also there for the same thing!

Right away, I calmy defended the boy by saying to her; Please don't say that to him, or it might make him think that he's a failure, and it might make him think that he really CAN'T read. You should be trying to ENCOURAGE him to read, not put him down. I'm trying to get him to read better."

I will NOT stand for her saying things like that to him!! I like & love this little boy very much! I wish that he were MY son, and I WILL defend him immediately if the other kids try to put him down!! I want him to WIN, not lose.

So what if he's kind of slow with his reading! It doesn't mean that I love him any less, or think any less of him. He's just a special kid to me reaching out for help. He truly deserves to be helped just like the rest of the kids! And I'm going to give it to him!

The boy who i used to tutor came and paid me a visit today. We talked for a few minutes. He was in a very happy mood.

He fell and hurt his arm, said that it was broken, but it wasn't.

I didn't expect him to take the time to do that, but he did it anyway, and I was so glad that he did!! It shows that he still loves and cares about me and remembers me!! I truly hope that he gets another chance to be tutored by me! I love him as though he were my son also!!


-=-=-=-

He has been taking the time out to come and say hi to me and give me a great big hug!! I'm so glad that I was able to help him and make him happy to see me when he does!!!

Today was our last time seeing the kids at the school for a while. We watched them to a little singing show for us as an appreciation for the work that we did, tutoring them during the school year.

We were given sets of books to give to our students as gifts to them for their participation and involvement in the program.

I softly said goodbye to all of them, even the ones who are tutored by other volunteer workers. Most of them were very sad to see us separate for the summer. I imagine that they truly enjoyed having us tutor them. But they know now, that we'll be back in October, as will they!

My little buddy came down. He was sweating profusely from playing outside. We talked for a while as I wiped the sweat from his forehead and face. I felt my eyes swelling up with tears.

This little boy really feels like a son or nephew to me, which is why I give him extra special treatment and more attention than the others! He has gotten very close to me and he really admires and looks up to me so much!! If I ever had a son, or was about to adopt one, I'd want it to be him, or a boy just like him!!!

I just can't stop caring about him! He's won and touched my heart so deeply forever. The strong powerful attachment that he has on me is just enormous and amazing!!! It's almost as though I'm his idol!!! It is why I'm so overwhelmed with sadness and sorrow when he says goodbye!! But I at least know that I'll see him again next semester.

And the other two little boys, one I tutor now, the other one who I used to tutor before him, they were the last ones to see me. I gave them their gifts. But, I gave my little buddy a childrens' dictionary as a very special gift for his forthcoming 9th birthday next month. He asked me if he could open it and I told him that he could, so I let him do it. He was completely surprised and in awe!! He really likes it. He just couldn't stop thanking me enough for the book!! I'm sure that he'll enjoy reading it at his leisure!!

We hugged each other very tightly for a while before he went back to his class. I gave him a kiss on the cheek. I was saddened again by seeing him leave the room.

But there IS some good news! He'll be back next semester, along with two other boys who I tutor!! He said he'll definitely be back as did all of my other students! So I shall look forward to be again happily working with them then!!!

I have one word for you.

Wordpress

I'm afraid to ask, but what does that mean?

No worries, I get asked all the time. It can have a few meanings depending on how it's used. Usually, its a pronoun or adjective indicating some person, place, or thing. Sometimes its used as or with an adverb or adjective indicating an extent or degree. Every now and then you'll see it as a conjunction used to introduce a subordinate clause as the subject or object of the principal verb or as the necessary complement to a statement made, or a clause expressing cause or reason, purpose or aim, result or consequence, etc.

Lay some of that on your third graders next English class. They'll love you for it.

I only tutor them in the library or in a separate small room - not in their classrooms. And it's a one-on-one session. That way, I get their complete undivided attention with no distractions, or as little distractions as possible.

Each child is very unique and has his own special little way of showing his / her interest in the program. I try to get and keep them interested in wanting to read, or I'll lose them from the program. I've already lost one. I hope they'll let him come back, because now he's showing some interest in wanting to read!

Two of them will read, while the other boy wants me to read to him. But when I go back in October, I gotta get him to read a little for me. I don't want him to be removed from the program either!


These kids are very bright and sound very well educated, even though they are very young, bright and alert. They just have some reading problems that they need help trying to get over it. I want them all back. I want to help them some more and as long as they are in the tutoring program, I will ask to have them back under my tutoring, sharing happy times with them and steering them in the right direction.

When I post here again, I want to be able to say that the same kids are having me back again as their coach!!