During an initial session, a tutor will assess your child's current math level, identify specific areas where they're struggling, and understand their learning style. They'll ask about what's been challenging—whether it's fractions, multi-digit operations, or problem-solving strategies—and discuss your goals. This foundation helps the tutor create a personalized plan that builds confidence and addresses gaps, whether your child needs to strengthen fundamentals or move ahead more quickly.

Math anxiety often stems from feeling rushed or confused, which personalized 1-on-1 instruction directly addresses. A tutor works at your child's pace, celebrates small wins, and helps them see patterns and connections they might miss in a classroom of 14+ students. When students understand the 'why' behind math concepts and have space to ask questions without pressure, their confidence grows naturally and anxiety decreases.

Showing work reveals a student's thinking process, helping teachers (and tutors) spot where misunderstandings happen—not just whether an answer is right or wrong. Many elementary students rush through or skip steps, which leads to careless errors and missed learning opportunities. A tutor teaches problem-solving strategies and helps students develop organized approaches to math, so showing work becomes natural and actually makes solving problems easier.

Yes. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who understand different elementary math approaches—whether your school uses traditional algorithms, Singapore Math, Everyday Math, or another method. When you connect with a tutor, you can share your child's textbook, current unit, or specific assignments so the tutor reinforces what's being taught in class while filling gaps and building deeper understanding.

Word problems require students to read carefully, identify what's being asked, and translate language into math operations—skills that develop with guided practice. Tutors teach strategies like underlining key information, drawing pictures or diagrams, and breaking multi-step problems into smaller chunks. With personalized support, students learn to approach word problems systematically rather than feeling overwhelmed, which builds both skill and confidence.

Most students benefit from 1-2 sessions per week, though frequency depends on your child's needs and goals. Some students see confidence boosts within a few sessions, while foundational skill-building typically shows measurable progress within 4-6 weeks of consistent tutoring. Your tutor will track progress and adjust the plan as needed, keeping you updated on what's working and where your child is building strength.

Start by telling Varsity Tutors about your child's grade level, specific math challenges, and preferred session schedule. We'll match you with an expert tutor who has experience with elementary math and understands Akron-area schools. You can then meet for a first session to see if it's a good fit before committing to ongoing tutoring.