Teaching primary school children is a unique and rewarding experience for us as tutors. At this stage, students are curious, enthusiastic and developing the foundational skills that will shape their future learning. As tutors, some may not realise but our goal goes beyond teaching content–it is about creating a positive learning environment where young learners feel safe, supported and motivated.
One of the most important aspects of working with primary students is building strong relationships. Children learn best when they trust their tutor and feel comfortable asking questions or making mistakes. I make it a priority to get to know each student–their interests, learning style, and what motivates them. For example, having a warm, encouraging tone and a patient attitude can go a long way in building this trust. By doing this, it will help a student feel more at ease within the sessions.
Engaging lessons are essential for younger learners. Attention spans can be short, so it is important to incorporate variety, and creativity. For example, creating a game or using visual prompts to help reinforce times tables or a writing task. When working with visual learners, I often use drawings, diagrams or stickers. These strategies not only keep students interested but also help them retain information more effectively.
Primary school children also benefit from clear structure and routine. I have found that setting clear goals at the beginning of a session like, “This is what we are going to work over today”, “I would like you to create three paragraphs” gives students a sense of purpose and helps them stay focused. Young learners also need positive reinforcement as their confidence is developing during these stages so recognising effort and progress is important. For example, using simple praises like, “Well done, this is great” can make a big impact.
Teaching primary students means laying the groundwork for lifelong learning. By creating a fun, supportive and structured environment, we can help them develop the skills and self-belief they need to thrive outside the tutoring walls.
Annie Bulkeley
