During an initial session, a tutor will assess your student's current understanding, identify specific gaps, and discuss learning goals with you. They'll observe how your student approaches problems—whether they're rushing through, struggling to show their work, or avoiding certain topics due to math anxiety. This foundation helps the tutor create a personalized plan that builds confidence and addresses the root of challenges, not just the symptoms.

Showing work is essential for developing problem-solving skills and catching mistakes. Tutors help students organize their thinking by teaching specific strategies like drawing diagrams, breaking multi-step problems into smaller parts, and explaining each step aloud. When students learn to articulate their reasoning, they develop stronger math foundations and teachers can better identify where misconceptions occur—leading to faster progress.

Yes. Colorado Springs has 18 school districts using various approaches and textbooks, and tutors connected through Varsity Tutors are experienced with multiple elementary math curricula. Whether your student's school uses a traditional approach, a problem-based curriculum, or something in between, tutors can align their instruction with what's being taught in the classroom while reinforcing conceptual understanding.

Absolutely. Math anxiety often stems from past struggles or feeling rushed, and personalized 1-on-1 instruction creates a low-pressure environment where students can ask questions freely and learn at their own pace. As students experience small wins—mastering a strategy, solving a challenging problem, or finally understanding fractions—their confidence grows naturally. This positive momentum often extends beyond math to other subjects.

Elementary math is built on patterns and relationships—from skip counting to understanding place value to seeing how multiplication and division relate. Tutors help students discover these connections through exploration and guided practice, rather than memorization. When students understand that math is a connected system of ideas, they develop better problem-solving skills and retain concepts longer.

Word problems require reading comprehension, identifying what's being asked, and choosing the right operation—a multi-step process that trips up many elementary students. Tutors teach strategies like highlighting key information, drawing pictures or diagrams, and rephrasing the problem in simpler language. With consistent practice using these tools, students move from avoiding word problems to approaching them with confidence.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have experience teaching elementary math and understand how to build both skills and confidence. When you reach out, you'll be matched with a tutor whose teaching style and expertise fit your student's needs. You can discuss your student's specific challenges—whether it's fractions, word problems, or math anxiety—and find someone who can provide the personalized instruction that makes a real difference.