For children ages 3 to 10, private lessons shine when a child needs full attention and their own pace, while small group classes of 3 to 5 children build social confidence. Choose based on your child's age, personality, and learning goals, since both can be equally effective.
What Sets Private and Group Classes Apart
A private lesson means one teacher focused on one child. The whole session, usually 45 to 60 minutes, belongs to your child. The teacher can slow down when your child needs time and speed up once a concept clicks.
A group class brings several children together. At Lilo, groups stay small, around 3 to 5 children, so the teacher still knows each child well. Children learn while watching a friend try, taking turns answering, and finding the courage to speak in front of others.
Both formats use the same teaching approach at Lilo: children start with real objects they can hold, then move to pictures, then to numbers and letters. What differs is the atmosphere and how much direct attention each child receives.
When Private Lessons Fit Best
Private lessons help a child who is just starting and still shy, a child who needs a gentle pace, or a child who is well ahead and ready for more challenge. The teacher can adjust the material to match how your child feels that day.
Children ages 3 to 5 often feel calmer with one patient teacher giving full attention. A child still learning the sounds of letters can repeat as many times as they like, without feeling rushed by classmates.
Private lessons also suit busy family schedules. The timing can follow your routine, and you can choose lessons at home or online through a screen, so your child can keep learning from anywhere.
When Group Classes Add More Value
Small group classes fit children who enjoy company and feel motivated when they see others try. A lively yet orderly room keeps many children more excited and engaged in learning.
Learning together builds social skills that matter before primary school, such as taking turns, waiting, and speaking up in front of friends. When one child explains how they arranged buttons to count, the others learn from that way of thinking too.
For many families, group classes are also easier on the budget since one teacher serves a few children. As long as the group stays small, your child still receives plenty of attention.
How to Choose the Right Fit for Your Child
Start with your child's personality. A shy or easily distracted child often grows faster with private lessons at first, then moves to a group once confidence grows. A sociable child who loves friends usually settles into a small group right away.
Consider age and goals. For children ages 3 to 6 building their reading, writing, and counting foundation, full attention is precious. For children ages 6 to 10 who already have the basics, group learning adds the courage to discuss and explain their answers.
Try a small step first. Join one trial session, watch whether your child comes home happy and chatty, then decide. You can also combine both, such as private lessons for tricky topics and group classes for regular practice.
What Stays the Same: Children Truly Understand
The class format matters, and the teaching method matters just as much. At Lilo, both private and group lessons use the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract approach from Singapore Math. Children hold objects first, then see pictures, then gradually meet number symbols, so their understanding lasts.
For word problems, children use the Bar Model, a way of drawing a problem as simple blocks. This trains a child to break a big problem into small steps, a skill that helps for life.
Lilo's reading curriculum is built across 7 levels, from recognizing letter sounds to understanding stories, supported by 122 structured practice modules for children ages 3 to 10. The practice is regular, in the style of Kumon, with a warm and child-friendly feel. These levels stay the same whether a child learns one-on-one with a teacher or in a small group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are private lessons always better than group classes for young children?
Not always. Private lessons shine for full attention and an individual pace, while small group classes of 3 to 5 children build social confidence and courage. The best choice depends on your child's personality, age, and learning goals.
At what age should a child start private lessons?
Children ages 3 to 5 who are still shy or need a gentle pace often feel most comfortable in private lessons. Once confidence grows, many children are ready to move into a small group around age 6 and up to build social skills.
Will my child still get enough attention in a group class?
Yes, as long as the group stays small. At Lilo, one class holds around 3 to 5 children, so the teacher can still know and support each child while they learn alongside friends.
Can a child combine private and group classes?
Yes, and it often helps a lot. You can use private lessons for tricky topics or when your child is just starting, then add group classes for regular practice and for the courage to speak in front of friends.