5 Tips to Help Your Child Master Their Multiplication Tables

Multiplication – one of the most fundamental and basic math topics that sets the foundation for other higher level math, including division, fractions and algebra. In addition to being a math building block, we constantly use it in life through things like travelling (exchanging money, estimating arrival times) to photography (calculating angles, resizing photos). Multiplication is a staple math topic that students must learn early in order to advance in their math abilities.

However, learning multiplication can be quite overwhelming when memorizing the multiplication tables. To help your child learn their multiplication tables in a fun and easy way, follow these five fast tips:

1. Don’t worry about the order

When it comes to memorizing multiplication tables, you can overlook the order of the two numbers being multiplied – in the end, the answer remains the same! Just take a look at the multiplication chart below:

1-12 Multiplication Table

As you can see, half of the chart is essentially a reflection of the other side. So it doesn’t matter if it’s “4 x 5” or “5 x 4” – the answer will always be 20. Essentially, when teaching your child multiplication, tell them to remember that the two numbers, no matter what order they’re in, make the same result. In helping them realize what the two numbers make together instead of viewing them as two different equations, it becomes a more efficient, faster way to understand and memorize their multiplication tables.

2. Follow the patterns

Looking at the multiplication tables, you can find many distinct patterns that can ultimately help your child learn and memorize them. Here are a few examples:

• 2x table: In this table, it’s simply a matter of doubling the number! In acknowledging this fact, your child will simultaneously be able to memorize “__ x 2” in all the other times tables.
• 5x table: All the products in the 5x table always end in 0 or 5!
• 9x table: Look at the products of this table: 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81, 90, 99, 108. See a pattern there? The numbers in the ones place go down by 1 while the numbers in the tens place go up by 1!
• 10x table: Very easy to memorize – just add 0 to the number being multiplied.
• 11x table: Up to 9 – just add the same number to the one it’s being multiplied by (i.e. 11 x 6 = 66)
• 12x table: Arguably the hardest one to memorize, but here’s a surefire way to remember it. 
  • Write down all the numbers from 1 to 14 (omitting numbers 5 and 11) in a vertical line.
  • Go back to 1 and write down the products from the 2x table, starting with 2 and ending at 0 right next to the previous numbers in a vertical line, repeating from 2 once you hit 0.
  • And there you have it, the 12x table! For a more visual representation, you can watch this video.

In understanding these patterns, your child will easily find the connections between each table and thus solidify their familiarity with multiplication.

3. Draw a Waldorf flower

If your child is a visual learner, drawings can represent the multiplication tables, helping your child memorize them while bringing out their creative side! A “Waldorf Multiplication Flower” is a great way to showcase this.

To make one, tell your child to draw a center of a flower, writing a number between 2 to 12 inside it. Afterwards, ask them to draw 12 petals around the center with each of them having a number from 1 to 12 written inside. Have them draw another set of 12 petals on top of the previous ones. Lastly, have them write the product of the number written in the center and the one written in the inner circle petal. It should look something like this:

(Image Source: https://www.theartkitblog.com/flower-multiplication-worksheets-for-kids-printable-pack/)

4. Play “Multiplication War” Card Game

Once your child has become somewhat familiar with the multiplication tables, you can have them strengthen their skills through “Multiplication War”; a fun and challenging card game! They can play with another friend, as this is a two player game.

To start, take out the Jokers and assign the Ace, Queen and King an individual number (i.e. the Ace = 1, Jack = 1, Queen = 11, King = 12). Afterwards, shuffle the cards and then have them face down in two equal piles. After a countdown (3…2…1!), have the children flip a top card from each pile at the same time. Whoever correctly multiplies the two numbers on the cards first wins the round. When the cards have run out, the child who won the most rounds wins the game!

5. Memorize Multiplication Tables

Last but not least is a classic method for memorizing multiplication: Multiplication Tables! As these tables display the results of multiplying two numbers, they can be an easy and fast way to let your child strengthen their multiplication skills. The more familiar they become with these tables, the faster their speed in numeric calculations will be. Turn memorizing the multiplication tables into a fun game simply by using flashcards!

Through these tips, you’ll help your child learn multiplication in no time! For more helpful tips on math education, click on the “Blog” section on our website!

Do you think your kids need additional help to improve math? MathProject offers math tutoring programs in Katy, Richmond, Cypress, Sugar Land, Missouri City and/or Hillcroft, and even online. The live, video sessions with MathProject’s team of qualified math tutors are always here to help your child achieve excellence in mathematics. Contact us today at 1-844-628-4243 to book a free assessment!

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Citations:
Learn Your Multiplication Tables – mathsisfun.com
10 Magical Multiplication Tricks to Teach Kids to Multiply – thoughtco.com
8 Effective Tips for Teaching Times Tables – whizz.com
Fast 12 times table trick!!! – youtube.com
5 FUN WAYS TO TEACH MULTIPLICATION FACTS – mrelementarymath.com
10 Super Reasons Why Multiplication is Important in your Life – mathworksheetscenter.com