The biggest hurdle is regrouping (borrowing), which requires students to understand place value deeply—many struggle when they can't subtract a larger digit from a smaller one. Another common issue is careless errors with multi-digit problems, where students lose track of which column they're working in. Some students also rush through subtraction without checking their work, leading to preventable mistakes that compound in later math concepts.

Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to identify exactly where your child's understanding breaks down—whether it's place value, regrouping, or simply building confidence. Tutors can use targeted strategies, manipulatives, and visual models to make abstract concepts concrete, and they adjust the pace to match your child's learning speed. Research shows that personalized instruction is significantly more effective than classroom instruction alone for closing math gaps.

The first session focuses on assessment and building rapport. A tutor will work through several subtraction problems with your child to understand their current skill level, identify specific gaps, and learn their learning style. From there, the tutor creates a personalized plan targeting your child's needs—whether that's solidifying regrouping, building mental math skills, or boosting confidence with word problems.

Many students show noticeable improvement within 2-4 weeks of consistent tutoring, especially for foundational skills like regrouping. However, the timeline depends on the starting point and frequency of sessions—students who struggle significantly may need 6-8 weeks to build solid confidence. Consistent practice between sessions accelerates progress, and tutors often provide homework strategies to reinforce learning at home.

Look for tutors with strong math backgrounds and experience teaching elementary math concepts—ideally someone who understands how to break down regrouping and place value into digestible steps. Tutors should be patient, able to explain concepts in multiple ways, and skilled at identifying the root cause of errors rather than just correcting answers. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who are vetted for subject knowledge and teaching ability.

Yes, Varsity Tutors connects students throughout Murrieta with personalized instruction, regardless of which of the 35 schools in the area they attend. Whether your child attends a school in one of the three local school districts or is homeschooled, you can find a tutor who understands Murrieta's curriculum standards and can work with your child's schedule.

Effective practice includes daily timed drills on subtraction facts, real-world applications like making change or measuring, and using manipulatives like base-10 blocks to visualize regrouping. Avoid drilling problems your child consistently gets wrong—instead, focus on problems just beyond their current level. Your tutor can recommend specific practice activities and games tailored to your child's needs to keep learning engaging and productive.