Maria Humm

My lessons are designed to be fun, engaging and tailored to each individual child's needs, abilities and learning goals. I believe children learn best when they feel comfortable, supported and confident, so I aim to create a positive and encouraging environment where every child feels able to participate, ask questions and enjoy learning.

Before beginning tutoring, I would take the time to understand your child's current abilities, interests, strengths and any areas where they may need additional support. I would also be interested in understanding what they are currently learning at school and whether there are any particular subjects or topics you would like me to focus on. This allows me to plan sessions that are relevant, purposeful and suited to your child's individual needs.

As an online tutor, I aim to make lessons interactive rather than simply sitting and completing worksheets. I enjoy incorporating a variety of teaching approaches, including visual resources, games, quizzes, practical examples, discussion and activities to keep children motivated and engaged. I understand that children have different learning preferences, so I adapt my approach to help them understand new concepts in a way that works best for them.

I can offer support across the primary curriculum, particularly in English, maths, reading and phonics. For younger children, I enjoy making learning creative and enjoyable through phonics activities, sound recognition, blending, segmenting, reading practice and developing early literacy skills. For older primary-aged children, I can support reading comprehension, spelling, writing, mathematical understanding and consolidating classroom learning. I am also happy to provide general homework support and additional practice with topics children may find challenging.

My teacher training placements have provided me with experience across both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, including mixed Year 1 and Year 2 and Year 5 and Year 6 classes. I have experience delivering phonics through Floppy's Phonics and Read Write Inc., alongside teaching and supporting learning across the wider primary curriculum. My BA (Hons) Childhood Studies degree has also given me a strong understanding of child development, inclusive practice and the importance of adapting learning to meet individual needs.

I believe that celebrating progress is just as important as achieving the end goal. Throughout lessons, I use positive encouragement and constructive feedback to help children recognise what they are doing well and understand how they can improve. I want children to feel proud of their achievements, however big or small, and develop the confidence to approach new challenges with a positive attitude.

I also recognise that some children may need additional time, reassurance or alternative explanations when learning something new. I am patient, approachable and happy to revisit concepts as often as needed, ensuring children feel supported rather than rushed. I aim to create a calm and welcoming atmosphere where mistakes are seen as a valuable part of learning.

My overall aim is for every lesson to be productive, enjoyable and rewarding. I want children to finish each session feeling more confident, having learnt something new and feeling motivated for their next lesson. I also value communication with parents and welcome feedback so that I can continue adapting sessions to support each child's progress.

Above all, I want children to look forward to their tutoring sessions, develop a genuine enjoyment of learning and feel confident in their ability to achieve their full potential.