Math help after school: a tutor, a class, or practice at home?

When a child is struggling with math, the usual answer is "get a tutor". Sometimes that's right. But a small group class or ten minutes of practice at home can help just as much, and they cost less.

The quick answer

• A gap from earlier years (fractions, times tables) needs someone who can find it: one to one.
• Keeping up but losing confidence often responds best to a small group and regular practice.
• Ahead and bored needs a challenge: a club or enrichment class, not catch-up tutoring.

Find the gap first

Most math trouble in grades three to six comes back to two or three foundations: place value, multiplication facts and fractions. A good tutor spends the first session finding which. If yours starts on this week's homework without asking, they're treating the symptom.

When a class is better

Children who are anxious about math often do better in a small group, where they hear other children get things wrong and survive. A class also runs on a schedule, so the practice happens.

Practice at home that works

• Short and daily. Ten minutes, the same time each day.
• Out loud. Have them explain one problem to you. If they can, they've got it.
• Stop while it's still going well. The last minute decides whether tomorrow starts with a groan.

On Befundo you can add this as a routine for your child, and their class's homework appears on their page with its due date.

Find math help

On Find classes, choose Academics and search for math. One-to-one tutors, small groups and online classes are all there. Read what each one covers before you choose.