Word problems require students to translate language into mathematical thinking—a skill that doesn't always come naturally at age 6 or 7. Tutors help by breaking down the problem into smaller steps, teaching students to identify what information matters, and encouraging them to visualize the scenario (sometimes with drawings or manipulatives). With personalized instruction, your child can build confidence by practicing strategies repeatedly until word problems feel less intimidating and more manageable.

Showing work helps teachers (and tutors) understand how your child is thinking, not just whether they got the right answer. It also helps your child develop problem-solving strategies and catch their own mistakes. In 1st grade, this might look like drawing pictures, using tally marks, or writing simple number sentences. Tutors emphasize showing work because it builds the habit of explaining mathematical thinking—a skill that becomes increasingly important as math gets more complex.

Yes. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who understand Texas TEKS standards and are familiar with the different math curricula used across Austin's 24 school districts. Whether your child's school uses Eureka Math, Everyday Mathematics, or another approach, tutors can align their instruction with what's being taught in the classroom. This consistency helps reinforce concepts and ensures your child isn't learning conflicting strategies.

Math anxiety in 1st grade often stems from feeling rushed, confused, or pressured to be perfect. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction removes the classroom pressure and allows tutors to work at your child's pace, celebrate small wins, and build confidence gradually. Tutors use positive reinforcement and break skills into manageable chunks so your child experiences success early and often. Over time, this approach helps shift the mindset from "I can't do math" to "I can figure this out."

1st graders learn better when they recognize patterns and connections rather than memorizing isolated facts. For example, understanding that 3 + 2 = 5 and 2 + 3 = 5 shows the commutative property in action. Tutors help students notice these patterns through hands-on activities, repeated practice with visual representations, and guided exploration. When your child sees how numbers relate to each other, math becomes less about memorization and more about logical thinking.

During the initial session, a tutor will get to know your child, assess their current skills and confidence level, and identify specific areas where they need support. This might involve working through a few math problems together, asking questions about what's challenging, and observing how your child approaches problems. The tutor will then develop a personalized plan based on your child's learning style and goals, and share next steps with you.

Tutors track progress by monitoring your child's ability to solve problems independently, their confidence level, and their understanding of key concepts. You'll receive regular updates on what skills have been mastered, what's being worked on, and how your child is responding to instruction. Progress often shows up both in tutoring sessions and in the classroom—through improved test scores, better homework completion, and increased willingness to tackle math problems.