Tips

for Handling Difficult Tutoring Situations

Behavior Challenge Approach

Type
• Low frustration tolerance • Determine what the student does know –
• Immobilization/hopelessness show him/her that he/she has some
Blocking

• Freezing up foundation
• Procrastination • Begin from what he/she knows and build in
• “It’s because I’m not good at math.” simple steps
• “I’ll never get it.” • Offer continual support
• “I’m stuck.” • Reinforce successes

• Bafflement/disorientation • Determine what the student does know –
Confusion

• Disorganization show him/her that he/she has some

• “I just don’t know what to do.” foundation
• “I don’t think we went over this in class.” • Begin from what he/she knows and build in
• “I studied for the test and got a D.” simple steps
• “I don’t know where my notes are.” • Give structure and order to the tutee’s
material (notes, worksheets, papers, etc.)

• Noninvolvement • Assess whether the content is accessible to
• Inattention student
• Boredom • Empathize (set aside materials and ask how
Little discussion the student is feeling at the moment)
Passivity

•
• Few questions asked •
• Use as many mobilizing techniques as
• Distracted •
listening
Attempt to build a relationship and mobilize
the student (“What is your favorite thing to
do at school?” “Who is your favorite
teacher? Why?”)
possible -- questions, establish mini-tasks for
the student to do, reinforce successes
Ask student to paraphrase directions.

• Requiring excessive repetitions • Use a listening exercise e.g., where one

Non-

• Not following directions student has to paraphrase what another

student said.
• Develop a quick point system with goals and
incentives

• Student tries to take the conversation off • Set a clear topic at the start with guidelines
Derailing

track and expectations

• Student tries to distract peers • Draw the student’s attention back to the
• Student asks irrelevant questions work, e.g., “What about our work led you
think of this?” “How do you see this
connecting to our overall topic?”
• Ask student to paraphrase the directions or
purpose of the task