Many students struggle with regrouping (borrowing), where they need to break apart a ten or hundred to subtract. Others mix up the order of numbers or forget to regroup in multiple columns. Some students also rush through problems without checking their work, leading to careless errors. These challenges often stem from shaky foundational understanding of place value, which is why personalized instruction that identifies the specific gap—whether it's place value, procedural fluency, or conceptual understanding—makes such a difference.

During an initial session, a tutor will assess your student's current level by working through a few subtraction problems—both simple and complex—to pinpoint exactly where the difficulty lies. They'll ask questions to understand whether the student struggles with basic facts, regrouping, or applying subtraction in word problems. From there, the tutor creates a personalized plan focused on building confidence and addressing the specific gaps, rather than reviewing material the student already knows.

With consistent, focused tutoring, many students show noticeable progress within 2-4 weeks—especially when working 1-2 times per week. However, the timeline depends on the student's starting point and how frequently they practice between sessions. A student struggling with regrouping might improve quickly once the concept clicks, while building automaticity with subtraction facts typically takes longer. Regular practice and reinforcement outside tutoring sessions accelerate progress significantly.

Effective strategies include daily practice with a mix of problem types (facts, regrouping, word problems), using manipulatives like base-ten blocks to visualize place value, and playing math games that make subtraction fun. Spacing out practice over time—rather than cramming—helps solidify skills. A tutor can recommend specific games, worksheets, and strategies tailored to your student's learning style, and can teach you how to support practice at home between sessions.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have experience teaching subtraction to students at your child's level. The matching process considers the tutor's background, teaching approach, and availability to ensure a good fit. Once matched, you'll have the opportunity to discuss your student's specific challenges and goals before committing to ongoing sessions, so you can feel confident in the partnership.

Word problems require students to read carefully, identify what's being asked, decide which operation to use, and then solve correctly—a multi-step process where confusion at any point leads to errors. Some students understand subtraction facts but don't recognize when to subtract in a real-world scenario. Others struggle with reading comprehension or organizing information. A tutor helps students break down word problems into manageable steps and builds confidence by practicing with problems at the right difficulty level.

Keep practice short, positive, and frequent—even 10-15 minutes a few times per week is more effective than long cramming sessions. Use real-world situations (cooking, shopping, sports scores) to show how subtraction matters. Ask your student to explain their thinking rather than just checking answers, which helps you spot misconceptions early. Your tutor can suggest specific games, apps, or practice materials matched to your student's level, and can give you tips for encouraging persistence when problems feel hard.