How to teach the multiplication tables to your child

Teaching multiplication tables does not have to mean painful and agonizing memorization and drills. Instead, you can teach a child logic that will help them learn their multiplication tables very quickly. Here are my tips for teaching multiplication tables.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Teach the easy times tables first. This would be the 1 times tables and the 10 times tables. Learning 1 times tables is as simple as counting, and it does not take long for a child to understand that 1 times any number is 1. Likewise the 10 times tables are easy also as all you have to do is add a 0 to the number that is being multiplied by 10. Take a couple of days to do worksheets on the easy times tables before moving on to the next group.
2. Teach skip counting. Children can learn to skip count quite easily for key multiplication tables. 2, 3 and 5 times table are pretty easy for children to learn. I like to use songs to teach these, such as the songs from School House Rock. They are quite catchy and easy to memorize.
3. Teach them logic. I like to teach 4, 6 and 8 times tables using logic. I make up a cheat sheet for the children that they can use while practicing these times tables. The rules that go on the cheat sheet are: “For 4 times tables, you Double-Double the number.” For example, for 4 X 7 you would think 7 doubled is 14, double it again and you have 28. “For 6 times tables, you Triple-Double the number.” For example, for 6 X 7 you would think, triple 7 is 21, double that is 42. “For 8 times tables, you Double-Double-Double then number. For example, for 8 times 7 you think, double 7 is 14, double it again and you have 28, double it again and you have 56. I let them practice these for several weeks before moving on. Before long, this logic becomes ingrained and they can work it out quickly.
4. Teach them hand tricks. This works best for the 9 times tables, but there are others as well that you can find online. Try this: Hold up your hands in front of your face. Now work out 3 X 9. With both hands facing you, fold down third finger counting left to right. What you will have are 2 fingers before the folded down finger, and 7 fingers after. 3 X 9 is 27. This trick works every time.
5. Have them flip it over. If they cannot figure out 7 X 2 quickly, they will be able to figure out 2 X 7. Always have them look for the easier number in the problem and solve the problem using the rules for that number.
6. Have them memorize the remaining times table using a rhyme. If you followed all the rules on this list, you will find the only problem you cannot solve is 7 X 7. Use this rhyme, "Kevin swung to heaven on a vine, 7 times 7 is 49!"

Tips & Warnings

• The child must be proficient at addition before attempting multiplication.