How I Teach My Child Math Without a Tutor – Saving $200+/Month
Tutoring costs $50-100/hour. I couldn't afford it. But after 6 months of doing it myself, my child went from average to above average. Here's exactly how.
When my daughter started 1st grade, I was worried. All the other kids had tutors, after-school programs, learning centers. We were on a tight budget – there was no way I could afford $200-300 a month for extra tutoring. I thought: 'Without money, my child is already behind from the starting line.'
But now, 2 years later, I realize I was wrong. Kids don't need expensive tutors to be good at math. They just need one thing: the right support from parents, combined with the right tools.
The Worry of a Mom Who Can't Afford Tutoring
I still remember the parent meeting at the beginning of 1st grade. Moms around me chatted: 'We do Kumon, $150/month.' 'We have a private tutor, $60/hour, twice a week.' 'My kid does both math and English tutoring, it's $400/month total.'
I sat quietly. Our family didn't have $400 to spend on tutoring. My husband works in a factory, and I do part-time work with unstable income. After paying for school supplies, food, and bills, there's nothing left for tutors.
I went home and cried silently while holding my daughter. I was afraid she'd fall behind her classmates. Afraid the teacher would compare her to others. Afraid someday she'd resent me for not being able to provide for her.
If you've ever felt that same helplessness, asking yourself 'Why can't I earn more money so my child can have the best education?' – I understand you. That feeling is heavy.
The Turning Point: What Kids Actually Need
One day, I read an article online. The main point was: for children to be good at math, they don't necessarily need a great teacher. They need much simpler things.
- •Problems at the right level – not too hard that they give up, not too easy that they're bored
- •Immediate feedback – knowing right away if they're correct to self-correct
- •Consistent practice – a little bit every day, and the brain will remember long-term
- •Motivation to want to learn – small rewards, praise, or the feeling of making progress
I read it over and over. And I realized: all these things don't require a tutor. I can create them myself, or find tools to help.
How I Organized Math Learning for My Child
I started experimenting. Nothing grand, just small adjustments every day. After 2 years, here's what I've learned.
1. Morning: 10 Minutes Before School
My daughter wakes up 15 minutes earlier. After breakfast, she has 10 minutes to practice on an app. The morning brain is most alert, absorbs best. I don't push too much, just 10-15 problems.
At first she complained, wanting to sleep more. But when she saw the points adding up, leveling up, she gradually got used to it and even became excited.
2. Evening: 15 Minutes After Dinner
This is review time for what she learned in class. I ask: 'What did you learn today?' If she can explain it, she understood. If she says 'I forgot,' we open her notebook and look together.
Some problems I don't know how to solve either. Then I look up YouTube or ask in parent Facebook groups. There's always someone who can explain it simply.
I don't need to know how to solve the math problems. I just need to know how to find resources so my child understands. My role is companion, not teacher.
3. Weekend: 30-Minute Review Session
Saturday or Sunday, I spend 30 minutes having her do a review of the whole week. Could be printing worksheets from online, or doing a quiz on the app. The purpose is so she doesn't forget what she learned.
Tools I Use (Completely Free or Very Low Cost)
- •Math app: I use Sorokid for calculation practice. Has games, has points, she loves it.
- •YouTube: Looking up how to solve hard problems. Search 'how to explain carrying in addition' and dozens of videos come up.
- •Google: Finding practice tests and worksheets to print for her.
- •Facebook Groups: Asking other parents. I'm in several elementary math groups, whenever I'm stuck I post a question and always get answers.
Total cost: $0 (if using free versions of apps) or just a few dollars/month (if buying premium features). Compared to $200-300 for tutoring, this is massive savings.
Challenges I Faced
I won't pretend everything was smooth. Some days she didn't want to study, and I felt discouraged too. Some problems I couldn't figure out how to explain. Some nights I was too tired to help.
But I realized: being persistent little by little is still better than doing nothing. Some days she only studied 5 minutes, that's fine. Some days she skipped entirely, also fine. As long as we came back the next day.
You don't need to be perfect. Just be consistent. A little bit every day, and in 6 months you'll see the difference.
Results After 2 Years
My daughter went from average, always anxious about tests, to now being in the 'above average' group in her class. Not the best, but confident. She's no longer scared of math. She actually likes doing math more than reading assignments now.
What I'm most proud of isn't the grades. It's that she's formed the habit of independent learning. Now every evening she opens the app herself without me reminding her. That's a skill that will last her whole life.
The Lesson I Want to Share
If you're also worried because you can't afford tutoring, I want to tell you: don't blame yourself. Money is not the deciding factor in whether your child succeeds at math.
- •Kids need your patience more than expensive tutors.
- •Kids need consistent daily practice more than cramming on weekends.
- •Kids need to feel progress more than being compared to classmates.
- •Kids need to be praised for effort, not just high scores.
All these things, you can do. I did it. And I believe you can too.
Start with 10 minutes a day. Don't set the bar too high. Be consistent little by little. Results will come.
Sorokid helps kids learn math at home without a tutor. Problems matched to their level, fun games, instant feedback.
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