Tutoring Tips: Teaching Your Child Double Digit Subtraction

Double digit subtraction requires a large jump in skill level from single digits. This is because children have to understand the concept of place values in numbers as well as the idea of borrowing from the tens. These concepts, once learned, are easily expanded as they move into triple-digit subtraction and so forth. As a custom paper writer, working with your children to master these two concepts really helps them move forward in their schooling.

DO: Start by explaining place values with tens and ones

This is the most important concept when it comes to understanding double digit subtraction, and an essay writers service often takes children some time to understand it. They must be able to understand how taking one of the tens and adding it to the ones allows the subtraction to work.

DO: Use manipulatives if necessary to show the concept

The term "manipulatives" is just a fancy way of saying "objects." Give children sets of pennies and dimes or sets of small toys. Show how when you have more than 10 ones, it is possible to turn them into a ten and that it is also possible to turn them back into ones if you need to do so. Take all the time necessary to explain this and perhaps even do some simple subtraction problems with the manipulatives until this concept is clear.

DON'T: Start with numbers requiring borrowing

The first few sets of double digit subtraction problems do not need to use borrowing. When you start with easier numbers, essay writers avoid frightening children or convincing them that this is too difficult. After all, without borrowing being necessary, the math is just like subtracting two columns of single-digit numbers and is easily accomplished.

DON'T: Be impatient

These concepts of borrowing from the tens column during subtraction and carrying to the tens column during addition seem easy to an adult who has done it for years in her checkbook. For children, however, these concepts are sometimes confusing and hard to remember. Always be patient when teaching your children new concepts because a few moments of impatience or a few harsh words are apt to convince them that understanding this is impossible.

If you are confused about how and why double digit subtraction works, take the time to renew your own knowledge so that you are able to explain it clearly to your children. There are many great resources available, and it is possible to ask their essay writer free for a quick refresher course if you need it. These concepts are very important to further work in math. It is extremely helpful as a foundation for more complex math to explain them clearly and make sure they are understood.

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