Working through the SMART program offers a well structured environment. Each volunteer is allotted 30 minutes tutoring time for each student. Personally, I read to six students two times a week. A bookshelf is provided in the school for children to choose books from, although my coordinator allowed me to bring in my own books to tutor with. Children that are in the program are chosen by teachers who feel the child may need extra attention, or who are behind in their reading skills.
Special Tips for Tutoring Kids through SMART
I found it extra helpful to engage kids in conversation before the tutoring session began. This way I got to know them better and they began to trust me more. I could also extract things that they said to me, and try to incorporate some of the child's interests into the next tutoring session.
Let the children decide what they want to do. With the SMART program you can read to the children or they can read to you. Usually they know which they would prefer. Sometimes the students wanted me to read and sometimes they wanted to read themselves. I usually let them choose the books, and took a few along with me in case we finished early, or if I had a special book in mind that I thought they would like.
Vary the routine. Children who had trouble staying focused liked when we went outside, or took a walk around the school. This channeled their energy while we talked. I brought in magic tricks sometimes to perk their interest. After doing these other activities, then we could focus on reading.
Give a lot of encouragement. Kids love to get compliments. Tell them that they are smart and wonderful. Whenever I gave compliments I always got a good response. It opened kids up when they felt I wasn't there to judge them.