A child who keeps stumbling over the same kind of question may be missing a specific skill. That is the first sign to watch for. The second is when they can copy a method from a worked example but cannot explain their first step once the numbers change. Compare two recent exercises and ask your child to show where they stopped. The comparison gives you a clearer starting point than a single grade.
A third sign is that math homework regularly takes much longer than expected, even when your child is trying. A fourth is that they begin skipping familiar tasks or asking for reassurance after every step. Watch for patterns across several assignments, and check with the teacher whether the same thing happens in class. The answer can help you choose between extra practice at home and more individual support.
The fifth sign is that the gap carries into a new topic, such as difficulty reading fractions when ratios are introduced. Bring two examples of your child’s work to a first tutoring session. Ask the tutor which skill they would start with and how your child can demonstrate it independently.
