Look for signs like counting on fingers for simple problems, difficulty explaining their subtraction process, or consistently making regrouping errors. If your child can add fluently but struggles with subtraction, they may need targeted support to connect the two operations. A quick diagnostic session can identify specific gaps and create a personalized learning plan.

Subtraction fluency (quick recall of basic facts) typically develops over several months with consistent practice, usually by the end of 2nd grade. However, mastering multi-digit subtraction with regrouping can take longer and often extends into 3rd and 4th grade. The timeline depends on your child's starting point and how frequently they practice with guided support.

Expert tutors typically start with concrete materials (base-ten blocks, number lines) to build conceptual understanding, then move to pictorial representations, and finally to abstract algorithms. This progression, known as the concrete-representational-abstract model, helps students understand not just how to subtract but why the process works. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to adjust pacing and strategies based on your child's learning style.

Effective strategies include using real-world contexts (making change, sharing items), playing games like subtraction card games or board games, and practicing with number lines and ten-frames. Consistent, short practice sessions (10-15 minutes) are more effective than longer, infrequent ones. A tutor can recommend specific practice activities tailored to your child's needs and provide guidance on how to support learning at home.

Regrouping requires understanding that numbers can be decomposed and recomposed while maintaining the same value—a concept that's abstract for many elementary students. Students must also keep track of multiple place values simultaneously, which adds cognitive load. Using visual models and explicitly connecting regrouping to addition (the inverse operation) helps demystify the process and build confidence.

In the first session, a tutor will assess your child's current understanding through informal observation and conversation—exploring what they know about basic facts, how they approach multi-digit problems, and where confusion arises. This diagnostic approach helps identify whether gaps stem from conceptual misunderstanding, procedural errors, or lack of fluency. The tutor will then create a personalized plan with specific, achievable goals for the coming weeks.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in elementary math and subtraction instruction. You can share your child's grade level, specific challenges, and learning preferences, and we'll match them with a tutor who fits your needs. The first step is simple—reach out to discuss your child's situation and get started with personalized support.