How to Help Your Kids Learn the Multiplication Table
A grade-schooler must have a solid foundation in number facts in order to be succeed in math class. A big chunk of 4th, and especially 5th, grade math involves manipulating fractions and decimals. To work on these problems, students need to do things like find the lowest common denominator and the greatest common multiple. They need to be able to reduce fractions to their lowest terms, and navigate percentages and division. All of these skills have a basis in multiplication facts.
The good news is you can help your 3rd or 4th grader learn the multiplication table in just minutes a day. Indeed, research has shown that it is much more effective to work with your child just five minutes a day, rather than, say, 20 minutes once or twice a week.
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Instructions
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Help your child take ownership of this activity by setting goals, and setting up a reward system, if necessary. Let your child know that it's good to know your times tables and reassure him that it's a "low-pressure" activity that will just take a few minutes a day. Show him how you will keep track of his progress, and set up a reward system if you want — although once you start this, often kids will ask you if they can practice to show off in front of friends and relatives.
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Take advantage of TV time. While your child is watching her favorite TV program, use the commercial breaks to quiz her, either with flashcards or just orally. Tally up the correct answers and record it on a chart by the television.
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Practice in the car. A typical trip back and forth to school, to a soccer game or to run errands can easily take twenty minutes. Use just five of those minutes to quiz your child. This could work several ways. If there are siblings or friends along for the ride, bring the flashcards and have them quiz each other. If there are no siblings, quiz your child orally while you drive. Have your child keep a tally. You can practice the entire multiplication table or just focus on one factor, such as all the sevens.
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Find free Internet games. There are just tons of free games online for practicing math facts. And once the kids try them, they typically get hooked and will play for a half-hour without even realizing it. Use the key words "free multiplication kids games" or "practice times tables games." Find one or two your kid responds to and have him play them for at least five minutes a night. Keep a progress chart by the computer.
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Print out free multiplication quizzes and copy a whole stack. Once a day give your child one of the quizzes to see how many he can answer correctly in three minutes. Keep a tally on the fridge. Review one or two that get him "stuck" and focus on those the next day.
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Every now and then throughout the day simply ask, "Hey, Carrie, what's 7 times 6?" The goal is for your chid to memorize it as she would her own age or phone number. If she's counting on her fingers, or counting multiples in her head, then she needs more practice.
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Tips & Warnings
It's not enough for your kids to be able to "do" their multiplication facts. They need to be able to do them efficiently. It may not sound so bad that your child can solve a problem in 15 seconds. But multiply that by 20 math problems, and suddenly you're looking at a homework assignment or test that's going to take a lot longer than it needs to.
One of the most important aspects in making this successful — besides consistent daily practice — is recording the progress. Kids love to see charts on how they're doing.
The importance of solid mastery of math facts cannot be overstated. Not all parents appreciate the relevance of it until their child is failing middle-school math classes.
References
- "The Mega-Fun, Multiplication Facts Activity Book"; Martin Lee and Marcia Miller
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Comments
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This is more practical tips than most.
