How to Teach Multiplication Tables to Children

Multiplication tables are a fundamental building block of math. The basic multiplication table starts at 1 x 1 and proceeds to 12 x 12. Teach children these tables until they know them cold. While very few people use calculus, most use algebra and multiplication regularly. Indeed, if you eat out at a restaurant or measure a room for materials, you unwittingly use multiplication tables. If you stop to think about it, no matter what you do, math is a regular part of your life. The best way to give children the confidence they need in math is to make sure they understand the basics of multiplication.

Instructions

1

Teach your child the tricks. If a kid knows the tricks of multiplication, he will find the process of memorization comes naturally. For example, show him that up to 10 multipliers, the number 11 goes up in identical twin digits 11, 22, 33, 44, 55, 66, 77, 88 and 99. Teach him that 11 times a two-digit number can be found by separating the multiplier and adding it in the center. For example, 11 x 23 would be separated as 2 space 3 and then the 2 and 3 would be added together in the center to get the final answer of 253. In cases where the center digit is more than 10, then the first of the two digits gets added to the front digit and the other sits beside the digit to the right. For example, 11 x 96 would be 9 space 6. Then add the 9 and the 6 to get 15. Add 1 to the 9 to get 10 and leave the 5 and place the 6 to get 1056. To get to 4 times anything, double it and then double it again.

2

Play multiplication games with your kid. For example, if you have two kids learning multiplication at the same time, pull out a deck of cards, pull the face cards and jokers out, and then grab two cards. Whichever kid multiplies the two numbers correctly the fastest gets both cards. Proceed through the deck. At the end, the one with the most cards wins. This is an especially useful trick for teaching kids who are competitive. Use it.

3

Establish a reward system for correct answers and tailor the reward to the individual child. Some kids are happy to get a bouncy rubber wall. Others will require more. Choose accordingly. Consider saying, I have a chocolate bar for the child who can tell me the answer to 9 x 7. Whats the answer? Rewards are tremendous learning tools.

4

Do repetition drills as the surest way to ingrain multiplication tables into your child's brain. The basic rule of thumb is that if your kids aren't sighing the answers, frustrated because "duh, I already know that one," then the she doesn't know the tables well enough yet. Use repetition at any point. Use it in the car, "Quick what's 7 x 9??" Use it when a child is brushing her teeth, and get the garbled answer. Use it before you pass the mashed potatoes. "Well only kids who can tell me what 6 x 3 is get to eat mashed potatoes. Do you know?" Kids learn through on the spot repetition. Keep this tool in your arsenal.