User:FlorMcGeehan

Do Children Really Need Private Lessons for Math Olympiad Preparation?

I was the kind of parent who was skeptical at first whenever I heard about private tutoring.
In my mind I thought: isn’t school already enough? My child already gets plenty of homework and after-school sessions from teachers.
So when a friend suggested private OSN Math lessons, I kept asking myself: is it really necessary?

But the experience over the past few months has completely changed my perspective.

How Is Regular School Learning Different from OSN Preparation?

At school, my child appeared smart.
His math grades were always consistently good.
But once he tried to take the school-level OSN selection, he struggled.
The problems were far more complex, sometimes requiring special tricks that were never taught in class.

According to studies from the National Research Council (2000), school learning emphasizes step-by-step methods, while Olympiads demand deep conceptual understanding.
So it’s natural if even bright students at school still find OSN challenging.

This made me start thinking that maybe a special approach really is needed.

Does Private Tutoring Help Bridge the Gap?

At first I was doubtful, because I thought private tutoring only meant additional workload.
But it turned out to be not that simple.

When I signed up at NgajarPrivat.com, I immediately noticed the difference.
OSN tutors don’t just repeat school material — they break down problems in ways that help my child see patterns.
For example, a difficult number theory problem could be explained with a simple analogy.

According to Bloom (1984), one-on-one tutoring can boost academic performance by up to twice compared to large classes.
And from my experience, it’s true — my child understood concepts much faster.

How Did My Child Feel After Joining Private OSN Lessons?

The most surprising change was in my child’s attitude.
Before, whenever he saw OSN problems, he got frustrated right away. It felt like he wanted to give up instantly.

After joining private lessons through KoncoSinau.id, he became more confident.
He said his tutor was very patient, never scolded him for mistakes, and instead gave encouragement.
That’s when I realized tutoring wasn’t only about material, but also about building a child’s mindset.

According to Dweck (2006), children with a growth mindset are more likely to persevere through difficulties.
Private tutors often nurture this mindset, making students more resilient in facing Olympiad problems.

Is Online or Offline Tutoring Better?

I tried both options.
At first, I chose offline because it felt more direct.
A tutor from LapakGuruPrivat.com came to our home, and my child could ask questions in person without worrying about internet issues.

But later, due to schedule conflicts, we tried online classes.
It turned out to be equally useful.
The tutor could share screen, write formulas on a digital whiteboard, and my child still interacted actively.

According to Means et al. (2013), online learning is proven to be as effective to face-to-face teaching if designed well.
So eventually, we decided on a combination: offline for intensive sessions, and online for additional practice.

Is Private OSN Tutoring Too Burdensome for Kids?

One of my concerns was that it might overload my child.
But actually, with flexible scheduling, it felt lighter.

Private tutors usually adjust lesson duration to the child’s condition.
If the child gets too tired, they don’t force them, but instead switch to a fun approach.
I once saw my child learning geometry through interactive apps — something he never got in school.

Csikszentmihalyi’s (1990) flow theory shows that when learning is enjoyable, kids become more focused and productive.
That’s exactly what I noticed when my child studied with a private tutor.

Is Private Tutoring a Good Value?

Honestly, cost was a consideration.
But after seeing my child’s progress, I felt it was worth it.

Before, he could only solve 2 out of 10 OSN district-level problems.
After three months of intensive tutoring, he managed to solve 6 correctly.
Even though he didn’t win, for me that was a huge leap.

I also saw other changes: he became more diligent, more patient, and less likely to give up.
According to research from Universitas Indonesia (Putri, 2019), participating in academic competitions improves resilience and grit.
So the benefits are not only academic but also character-based.

Which OSN Tutoring Platforms Can Be Trusted?

As a parent, I was careful.
After research and asking around, I ended up trusting three platforms:

– NgajarPrivat.com – focused on intensive guidance with tutors experienced in OSN.
– KoncoSinau.id – flexible for online learning, suitable for busy students.
– LapakGuruPrivat.com – offers many private tutors, both for Math Olympiad and other subjects.

From my experience, all three are trustworthy, with clear systems and skilled tutors.

Final Thoughts: Was Private Tutoring the Right Decision?

Not at all. In fact, I’m grateful I took the step.

Private OSN Math lessons not only helped my child understand complex problems, but also built resilience.
From being doubtful at first, now I’m convinced this is an important investment for my child’s future.

If other parents are still hesitant like I was, my advice is simple: just give it a try.
Based on my experience, the difference before and after private tutoring is truly remarkable.

Also visit my webpage: https://ngajarprivat.com/product/guru-osn-matematika/