Many students struggle with regrouping (borrowing), especially when working with multi-digit numbers or when zeros are involved. Others find it difficult to understand subtraction conceptually—seeing it as more than just "taking away," and recognizing it as the inverse of addition. Some students also rush through problems or lose track of place value, leading to careless errors. A tutor can identify exactly where the breakdown occurs and address the specific concept or strategy that's causing difficulty.

The first session focuses on understanding where your student currently stands. A tutor will assess their comfort with basic subtraction facts, their approach to regrouping, and whether they understand subtraction conceptually or are just memorizing steps. From there, the tutor creates a personalized plan that targets specific gaps and builds confidence. This diagnostic approach means every session is tailored to your student's actual needs, not a one-size-fits-all curriculum.

Many students see noticeable improvement within 3-4 weeks of consistent tutoring, especially once they grasp the underlying concepts rather than just memorizing procedures. However, the timeline depends on the specific gaps and how frequently your student receives instruction. Regular practice between sessions—even 10-15 minutes daily—accelerates progress significantly. Varsity Tutors can help you develop a realistic timeline based on your student's starting point and learning pace.

Effective strategies include using visual models (number lines, base-ten blocks) to build conceptual understanding, breaking problems into smaller steps, and connecting subtraction to addition as its inverse operation. Many students benefit from learning multiple strategies so they can choose the approach that makes most sense to them. A tutor can teach flexible strategies that work across different problem types—from single-digit facts to complex multi-digit subtraction—rather than relying on one rigid method.

Yes, tutors can absolutely help with homework while also building deeper understanding. Rather than just providing answers, a tutor guides your student through the problem-solving process, identifies where confusion happens, and teaches the concepts behind the homework. This approach means your student develops independence and can tackle similar problems on their own, rather than becoming dependent on help for every assignment.

Varsity Tutors connects you with experienced tutors who specialize in elementary math and understand how to teach subtraction at different levels—from building foundational concepts to mastering multi-digit regrouping. The matching process considers your student's grade level, learning style, and specific challenges so you get a tutor who can explain concepts in a way that clicks for your child. You can also discuss your preferences and goals before the first session to ensure the right fit.

A tutor will recommend targeted practice that reinforces what was covered in the session—whether that's subtraction facts, regrouping strategies, or word problems. The key is quality over quantity: 10-15 minutes of focused practice on the specific skill being learned is more valuable than an hour of random problems. Your tutor can also suggest games, real-world applications (like making change), or interactive tools that make practice feel less like a chore and more like learning.