Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Learning the skills
• Method 2 of 4: Memorize answers
• Method 3 of 4: Reward your child
• Method 4 of 4: Check progress
• Tips
• Warnings

Many children struggle with the multiplication tables, and as a parent you can consider it your duty to help them learn them. After all, they will have to be able to multiply quickly to successfully complete their school time. You need time, strategy and patience to teach your child how to meet the challenge of these issues. You can read how to do that here.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Learning the skills

1. Agree on a time. Sit down with your child when you both have time to take on the challenge with the tables. If you are too busy with work or if your child is too tired or hungry, learning will not go as smoothly as you would like. Go together 30 minutes to sit and allow any form of distraction for both of you.
   • Energy and enthusiasm are important to both of you. Turn off the cell phones and television, sit down at the dining table with something to nibble, and battle the numbers together.
2. Start with tables of 0, 1, 2, and 3. It is important to understand small parts before the whole table can be learned. Remember: your child does not count, but remembers. It probably already knows the concept of multiplication.
   • If your child does not yet know what multiplication means, explain it by adding: 3x4 is 4 + 4 + 4.
   • Ask your child for his math book and any notes or practice sheets he or she has received. This way you can see exactly what it should learn and how it is explained at school.
   • Have a table or a number line from 1 to 100 ready. A table gives you quick answers by connecting the appropriate row of the right column. This works well for those just starting out, because the answers are easy to find.
     • A number line is a bit more work. You can have your child circle all the numbers on a particular table with a pencil or mark all the numbers on a table with a particular color.
3. Explain to your child that the connection makes it easier. Show it that every answer occurs twice and that, theoretically, it only needs to learn half. 3x7 is the same as 7x3. If they have learned the number families of 0, 1, 2 and 3, they already know 4 sums of the tables of 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 each time.
   • If your child knows 0-3, you go on to 4-7 and then 8-10. If you want to continue, include the 11 and 12 tables in the practice. Some teachers will add difficult sums for a bonus or to find out how far a child is.
4. Talk about recurring patterns in the table. It doesn't just have to be memorization and recitation, but it can also be based on tips and hints. The table is an easy way to look up answers.
   • All tables end at ten with a zero after the base number.
   • All 5 times tables end on a 0 or a 5 at the end and are half the answer of 10. (10x5 = 50; 5x5 = 25, half of 50)
   • Anything you multiply by 0 remains 0. It doesn't matter what number it is.
5. Know the tricks. Fortunately, there are many tricks in math to do it faster. Teach your child these tricks and they will not only be impressed but very grateful.
   • To explain the 9 times table, use your fingers. Spread them out above the table with your palms down. For 9x1, bend your left little finger away. How many fingers do you show? 9. For 9x2 you hide your little finger and put your left ring finger on the table. What do you show? 1 finger on the table and 8 in the air: 18. Then put your left middle finger on the table as well. Now count 2 fingers on the table and 7 in the air: 27. This works all the way up to 9x9 = 81.
   • If your child can double down, the 4 times table will be easier. Double it and double it again. For example, take 6x4: doubling 6 yields 12. Doubling 12 again makes 24. 6x4 = 24. Use this to automate the response. This is again about memorization.
   • For some 11 reproduce, duplicate your number. 3x11 = 33, so two threes. 4x11 = 44. Two fours. The answer is the question, only twice in a row.
     • If your child is a math prodigy, teach them the higher numbers in the 11 times table by splitting and adding the individual numbers. Take the number that it be multiplied and pull it apart. So 11 x 17 is 1_7. Add these two numbers together and place that number in the middle: 187.

Method 2 of 4: Memorize answers

1. Practice speed. If your child knows the answers, make sure they wear out. Practice them at breakfast, during commercial breaks, and a few minutes before going to sleep. If it goes well, do it faster and faster.
   • Start practicing the tables in sequence. If you notice that your child is getting to know them better, mix them together. The pace will then slow down for a while, but will also soon be back where it was.
2. Make it fun. At this point you may both be wondering what all those squiggles in the numbers are. Come up with games and challenges.
   • Have your child make flash cards. Write the sum, eg 4 x 9, on one side and the answer, 36, on the other side. Writing down the tables also aids in learning them. Use a timer to see how many tickets can answer your child into a good minute. Can it improve that score tomorrow?
     • You can also do this with a blank table table. That's a great way to find out what numbers your child is getting stuck on.
   • Use a pack of cards. Divide them into two piles and each take a pile without looking up. At the same time, turn the top card over and call out the correct answer as quickly as possible. For example, if one flips a 3 and the other a 9, the answer is 27. Jacks, queens, kings and aces can be used as 11, 12 etc. You can also use them as 0 or omit them altogether.
   • Say a number, for example 30. Can your child name all possible sums? 5 x 6? 3 x 10?
   • Name a number and ask for the next answer. For example, start with 30 and ask for the next answer in the 6 times table. Or start with 18 and ask for the next two answers from the 9 times table. You can even start with 22 and ask for the next answer in the 4 times table, although 22 does not appear in the 4 times table at all. Challenge once your child has figured it out.
   • Play Multiplication Bingo. Your children fill in a card of 6x6 squares with numbers of their own choosing. You name a question, for example "5 x 7." If a child has 35 on the card, it may that number elimination. Continue until someone has "bingo". What prize can be won?

Method 3 of 4: Reward your child

1. Use rewards as motivation. That does not have to be money or goods, because that can spoil their eagerness to learn in the long run. Snacks, drinks or being able to do something they enjoy are useful rewards to increase motivation.
   • Save the big rewards for school tests. If they can perform under pressure, you can be sure they know it.
2. Praise your child. Do not forget to take a break and have fun together between the exercise by. If you are happy with their success, they will want to be successful. Tell them how well they are doing!
   • If they are learning slower than you'd like, don't worry. Negativity can slam them shut. A bad mood can take away motivation to learn. Motivate them to keep going.
3. Take breaks. No child can learn for hours on end. If you find that it is getting too much, take a break. You can probably use it yourself.
   • After a break, repeat what they just learned before moving on to new material.

Method 4 of 4: Check progress

1. Use online materials. When you've passed the pen and paper stage, let them practice on the computer with online games and tests and find out how much they know.
   • Of course you can make a test for them yourself, but by having them practice on the computer, it will feel less like a test and more the feeling that it is a fun challenge.
2. Ask for the score. You did so much about it at home, how are things at school? If your child doesn't tell you on their own, ask! They should be proud of good grades; if the results aren't that great, you can practice with them more so that they score better next time.
   • It is always an option to ask the teacher what they should be able to do. A committed parent is always welcome!

Tips

• Try to explain it the same way they do in school. If you have learned it in a different way yourself, start with the way that school uses. If that works, then leave it that way. If it doesn't work, explain it according to your own method.
• For advanced players: the squares of the tens are almost equal to the tables. 1 x 1 = 1, 10 x 10 = 100. That way it is not difficult to see that 20 x 20 = 400, 30 x 30 = 900, 40 x 40 = 1600 etc.
• Be nice and patient. If there is no other option, work with the same sums for a few days until the child really can.
• Wanting to be able to move large numbers too quickly leads to frustration. Work it slowly to make the tables easier, but keep making progress. And don't be afraid to ask more difficult questions, even if there are only a few at a time.
• Explain that addition can be done in two ways: 2 + 1 = 3 and 1 + 2 = 3. The same goes for multiplication.

Warnings

• Understand that the child should not really be counting. Quick answers can only come from memorization. Counting helps in understanding it, but shouldn't be necessary once the child knows it.
• Demotivate your child not with too many sums or rows at a time - remember to be able to laugh too and take breaks during lessons.
• Never use, ever never the words "stupid," "lazy," or more of those terms. Do not use them as a reference to your child, yourself or the material.