Many students struggle with regrouping (borrowing), understanding that subtraction is the inverse of addition, or working with negative numbers. Some also have difficulty visualizing what subtraction means conceptually, seeing it only as a mechanical process rather than a real-world operation. Expert tutors can identify exactly where a student is getting stuck and use targeted strategies to build understanding from the ground up.

The first session is focused on assessment and connection. A tutor will work through some subtraction problems with your student to understand their current level, identify specific gaps, and learn their learning style. This information helps create a personalized plan that targets the exact skills your student needs to develop, whether that's basic facts, regrouping, or word problem strategies.

Many students begin to feel more confident within 2-4 weeks of consistent, personalized instruction—especially when tutoring is paired with regular practice. Mastery of specific subtraction skills (like regrouping with larger numbers) usually develops over several weeks to a few months, depending on the student's starting point and how frequently they work with a tutor.

The most effective practice combines repeated exposure with varied problem types—mixing basic facts, regrouping problems, and word problems to keep skills sharp. Tutors often recommend using manipulatives (like blocks or number lines) to reinforce the concept visually, and spacing practice over several days rather than cramming, which helps build long-term retention and automaticity.

Look for tutors who have experience teaching elementary math and can explain concepts in multiple ways—not just the traditional algorithm. It's also valuable to find someone who understands how to build confidence alongside skills, especially if your student has math anxiety. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have proven experience helping students master foundational math skills like subtraction.

Word problems require students to translate language into mathematical operations, which adds a layer of complexity beyond the computation itself. Many students can do subtraction facts but struggle to recognize when subtraction is the operation needed, or they get confused by the wording. Personalized tutoring helps students develop strategies for breaking down word problems and connecting them to the subtraction skills they've learned.

The best parent support is consistent encouragement and creating low-pressure practice opportunities—like using subtraction in everyday situations (making change, sharing snacks, counting down to events). Avoid drilling problems in a way that creates anxiety; instead, let your child's tutor guide the practice strategy, and focus on celebrating effort and progress rather than just correct answers.