MATHS

Turning Grade 3 Math Struggles into Success Stories

Turning Grade 3 Math Struggles into Success Stories

Key Takeaways

As your child starts grade 3, they are introduced to more complex concepts in maths like multiplication, fractions, decimals, and word problems. While some children require only a little extra help to improve their performance, many need more time and personalized explanations to succeed. 
The key is to act and address your child’s learning gaps with tutoring at the right time. 
The right tutor combines their curriculum expertise with the ability to build confidence and translate tough concepts into simpler ones. Providing this early support can make a lasting difference in your child’s overall math journey.

New Concepts and New Struggles in Grade 3: Multiplication, Fractions, and More

As your child moves from simple counting and basic concepts in the previous grade, Grade 3 math may seem like a big leap. There are concepts that require a new way of thinking. It’s less about “how many” and more about “how it works.” No more counting to 100 or 50, which they can do on their fingers. No more just adding numbers, for example, 3+2+5, or only subtraction, 7-2=5. 
Now, it's about multiple operations and foundational algebraic thinking. Seeing equations like (5+2) x 3/2 can make your child feel overwhelmed! Especially when lessons move quickly in the classroom. Without enough time to pause and fully understand concepts, small gaps can grow into bigger frustrations. No wonder you hear, “Am I supposed to add first or just multiply?!” “What should I do?” 
 Watching your child struggle with math can be tough. If you’re seeing frustration during homework time, you’re not alone. Grade 3 is a pivotal year when math shifts from concrete counting to more abstract thinking, and even many bright students struggle. This struggle is often a sign of a normal learning leap, not a lack of ability. 
With the right support, frustration can turn into confidence. At My Tutor Source (MTS), we help your child pass Grade 3 with flying colors. Whether your child is struggling in:  
Topic Struggles
Multiplication & Division

- Difficulty moving beyond memorization
- Without a conceptual foundation, later math concepts in Grade 3 become tougher.

Fractions- Taking time to understand that a number like ½ represents a part of a whole.
- Easily misinterpret fractions.
Word Problems- Struggling in comprehending problem statements, for example, mistaking fewer than in the word problem for subtraction.
- Finding area and perimeter proves to be difficult.
Our tutors tailor sessions to your child’s areas of need to improve their math learning and confidence!

The Right Match: Qualities of a Great Grade 3 Math Tutor

A third grader needs more than answers. They need explanations that make sense to them. For them, the right tutor is someone who has both expertise and empathy. Fortunately, our tutors are certified, empathetic, and experienced in their subjects! MTS helps match you with an experienced tutor who can work on your child’s weak points and improve their score. You can look for our tutors who are:

A Curriculum Guide

They know the Canadian provincial curriculum inside and out. Whether you are struggling with maths in Alberta or need help with a concept in the British Curriculum, our tutors have your back! So, they can help your child with their schoolwork, class tests, or final exams. Even if your child is a bright student who needs a little extra support to improve their grade, our tutors are available 24/7 to meet their needs.  

A Confidence Builder

Tutoring sessions with our tutors are a safe space where you can make mistakes and receive constructive feedback without being scolded. Our tutors work hard with their students to turn “I can’t” into “I’ll try.”

A Concept Translator

Our tutors break down complex ideas into simple, relatable steps. They share helpful notes, relevant presentations, and resources with your child for additional support at the end of each session. This is an MTS protocol that is always managed. We also have a tutor-controlled whiteboard to make our sessions more interactive and highly engaging. Using the whiteboard, our tutors simplify abstract concepts such as fractions for your child.  

A Patient and Versatile Mentor

Our tutors adapt their teaching style to match your child’s unique pace and learning style, not the other way around. They are patient, work where your child is lacking in math, and share their feedback with you to keep you in the loop. 
At MTS, we match students based on the exact qualities mentioned above. Our tutors are more than experts; they’re encouraging mentors who connect with your child.

Your Role in Your Child’s Math Journey

Tutoring isn’t about replacing school; it’s about reinforcing learning and giving your child the confidence to keep going. As a parent, you play an important role, even if math wasn’t your favourite subject in school. Sometimes, simply noticing early signs of struggle and taking action can make a big difference. At MTS, we don’t believe the tutoring journey is limited to your child and their matched tutor. We highly value your input as we work toward your child’s improvement with your assistance! Here’s how you can help:

Focus on the Positive

Encourage your child to keep trying rather than discouraging him for having bad grades or for not understanding concepts quickly. Say, “I love how you didn’t give up on that problem,” instead of only praising them for giving correct answers.

Add Math in Their Daily Life

What better way to learn something than by practicing it? Try involving your child in simple daily life tasks, for example, asking them to measure ingredients for baking a cake, counting the number of cookies in a jar, calculating their pocket money, or reading their class schedule to see when math class is. It shows them that math is used everywhere. 

Communicate 

Share what you see, both struggles and achievements, in your child, with our platform and our tutor. Ask questions, discuss problems, or share feedback directly with MTS management after every session. In this way, our tutors can modify your child’s future sessions even better. 
My Tutor Source’s management team closely monitors every single tutoring session. We take full responsibility for all the tutoring sessions. We share progress reports through our app or through email to keep you updated on your child’s progress. Our tutors are also readily available for general queries, guidance, and feedback.

Success Stories: What Parents Are Saying

We’ve seen many Grade 3 students start their tutoring feeling unsure, frustrated, or behind, and finish their sessions feeling confident and capable with us. Let’s take a look at our students’ success stories and parents’ feedback.

Mrs Oscar Rice

“My experience with MTS was great! Watching my son grow and excel in his academic life with MTS’s online tutor was amazing. I have witnessed a surprisingly remarkable improvement in my son’s exam scores after hiring their tutor. I’m grateful to the team.”

Alina Bruce

“Despite trying his best, my son couldn’t complete the overwhelming home tasks because of his poor understanding of the concepts. But MTS changed everything. They did an excellent job! The tutor we hired helped him understand the core concepts, score excellent scores in his exams, and reach his maximum academic potential.”

Lewis Clements 

“MTS tutors educate pupils and care about their learning and personal development. I can not thank them enough for helping my child become a straight-A student.”

Ready to Turn the Page on Math Struggles? Your Next Step

Grade 3 doesn’t have to be the year your child decides they’re “not a math person.” It may be the year your child discovers a new interest in and love for math. And how can you ensure that? Sign your child up for our grade 3 tutoring sessions, or start preparing for grade 4 maths! 
With a dedicated MTS tutor, your child can build the strong foundation, critical skills, and genuine confidence needed to thrive in math, not just in this grade but for all the later grades to come. Let’s turn challenges into confidence and today’s struggles into tomorrow’s success stories. Click here to get started. 

FAQs

Q: How do you help with word problems? That’s where my child gets completely stuck.
Word problems are a top challenge in Grade 3! Our tutors break them down into clear, short steps that are easy to understand. That way, students can identify key information and decide which operations to use. Our tutors keep testing your child’s knowledge until your child gets it. Our sessions are tailored to your child’s individual needs. 
Q: My child’s school teacher mentions "number sense."  What is it, and how does your tutor improve it?
Number sense is the understanding of numbers and their relationships (e.g., knowing 8 x 5 is the same as 4 x 10, or that ¾ is more than ½). It's the foundation for all higher math. Tutors build it through activities that go beyond worksheets. Like math games and real-life problem-solving, which help your child not just to calculate but to think and reason with numbers. 
Q: We’re busy, so how can we find the time for our son’s tutoring?
No need to worry! My Tutor Source provides tutoring 24/7, which is ideal for busy Canadian families. You schedule the class, we handle the rest. If you have enrolled for a tutor whose time doesn’t match with yours in the future, you can easily change your child’s tutor with a single click! 
Q: My child gets good grades but says they're "bad at math," and it's getting harder. Can tutoring help a capable student?
Absolutely. This is often about confidence and mindset, not just skill. In a classroom, it can be tough for the teachers to focus on every student, especially the bright ones, since they are automatically considered good at the subject. Here’s where our personalized and one-on-one tutoring comes in. Our private tutors slow down lessons, explain concepts in different ways, and focus on specific gaps to shift your child’s perspective from "I'm bad at math" to "I can work through tough problems."
Q. Why do so many children struggle with math in Grade 3?
Grade 3 is a turning point in math. Children move from basic calculations to more complex ideas like multiplication, fractions, and multi-step word problems. This shift can feel overwhelming, especially if earlier concepts weren’t fully understood.
Q. What topics does Grade 3 math tutoring usually focus on?
Grade 3 math tutoring typically covers multiplication and division, fractions, word problems, place value, measurement, time, and data interpretation, all of which are aligned with the Canadian provincial and other curricula.
Q. Is online Grade 3 math tutoring effective for my child?
Absolutely! Our sessions are interactive and tailored to your child to make the lessons more effective. With visual tools, digital whiteboards, and tutor notes shared at the end of each lesson, many children feel more comfortable learning from home and participate more enthusiastically. 
Q. How often should my third grader attend tutoring sessions?
This depends completely on you and your child’s needs. Some students benefit from one session per week, while others may need more frequent support. Our personalized tutoring plan helps ensure steady progress without your child feeling overwhelmed. You can also track your child’s progress through our weekly updates in the app or through email.
Q. Can tutoring help improve my child’s confidence in math?
Absolutely. As children begin to understand concepts clearly, their confidence grows. Our tutoring helps to reduce your child’s anxiety, encourages their participation, and helps them feel more positive about math.
Q. When is the best time to start Grade 3 math tutoring?
The best time is as soon as you notice your child feeling confused and struggling with homework or in tests. Early support helps to prevent learning gaps and makes it easier for your child to keep up with the class as they move on to advanced concepts.

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With over 3 years of experience in teaching, Chloe is very deeply connected with the topics that talk about the educational and general aspects of a student's life. Her writing has been very helpful for students to gain a better understanding of their academics and personal well-being. I’m also open to any suggestions that you might have! Please reach out to me at chloedaniel402 [at] gmail.com

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