Math tutors always assist children with the work they are doing in class. Their sessions typically involve helping children with their math homework, and providing the child with supplementary exercises that help build the skills needed for this work. In elementary school, this involves consulting with classroom teachers to understand the child's difficulties, and finding alternative ways to explain information that may not make sense. Often, sessions include games and activities designed to help children memorize times tables, and addition/subtraction facts. TLC math tutors also help their elementary school students build number concepts - such as an understanding of base 10 - which some children grasp more quickly than others.

By middle school, math difficulties often appear to be related to falling behind. Youngsters may not have memorized number facts and they frequently missed key concepts taught in elementary school. As children embark on solving algebraic equations, they will become overwhelmed with information if they have not yet mastered concepts and operations taught in elementary school.  Math tutors for older children typically spend considerable time understanding what the child has missed, and finding creative ways to fill in the gaps. At times, this takes place during the summer, when the child is not challenged to keep up with classwork.