How to teach your child the concept of multiplication (and times tables) in a fun way.

Last week part of my six year old son’s homework was to learn his two times table. Now while my son and his friends are a dab hand at counting in twos, it is something quite different to actually teach a child the concept of multiplication. What does that funny x sign actually mean anyway? And how on earth do you explain its meaning to a six year old?

Thinking about it gave me the fidgets: a new concept for him, plus the very mention of the word HOMEWORK - I knew I had to plan ahead to avoid an uprising.

Now I’m sure his teacher had already gone through the whole thing in class in a creative and engaging way but, when broaching the subject at home, I was faced with a cold blank stare at which point I brought out the big guns - and here’s what I/we did… Hopefully it’ll prove useful for other parents who are faced with the same daunting task!

DRESS THE TASK UP AS SOMETHING INTERESTING, EXCITING OR UNUSUAL

This doesn’t necessarily need to take any time – a little imagination goes a long way! And knowing how much my son likes to use his imagination, we started off by imagining that a times table is like a monster that grows from nothing into something VERY big. This might not be your (or your child’s) cup of tea but it helped set the scene.

INTRODUCE THE CONCEPT VIA ‘SPEAK’ LEARNING and SUPPORT THIS WITH SOMETHING VISUAL

(I used multi-link - mini blocks that you can join together. They’re really good for adding, taking away etc and really cheap. You could also use Lego!)

I explained to my son that his teacher has asked us to learn the two times table at home and that we were going to use blocks (multi-link) to help us make a ‘monster tower’. (At this point I’m winning, as I can see that my son has totally bought the monster idea and is engaged and listening ready to build.)

First we joined two blocks of the same colour together lots of times to prepare, as we were multiplying by two.

Back to the monster… I TALKED through the two times table, while my son added two blocks each time until the ‘monster tower’ was 20 blocks tall (10 x 2)! Gasp! Cue collapsing of the great tower…

At the end we talked about how the tower had GROWN really big and that we had added two blocks each time (thus reinforcing the idea that basic multiplication is repeated addition).

TIP: Most children need to be able to visualise these new and quite abstract concepts somehow and while it can be good to use sweets, pebbles, shells or beads for counting, I think it’s good for young children to also see how an amount GROWS from nothing into a big number (or tall tower) when multiplying.

MOVE ON TO A WRITTEN REPRESENTATION OF THE CONCEPT IN A GAME FORM

(I referred back to the visual blocks to help with the ‘game’)

Once we had grown the monster tower by adding lots of two we then moved on to the cards (see pic below). I explained that we were going to play a fun game to help us learn our two times table. The mere mention of ‘game’ and he’s still with me...

We started with the first five green cards: my son sorted them in order and then found the correct answers on the yellow cards and placed them next door. We then sorted the rest of the times table.

At this point my son spotted lots of interesting patterns. Eureka moment!

“Mummy look! The numbers are going up each time here - and look - 2,2,2,2,2,2,2 all the way down!” Times tables are, after all, ALL about patterns.

Finally he recorded the two times table in his book. NB Usually this would have been a step too far but he was feeling pretty good about himself at this point and so I managed to sneak it in!

FOLLOW UP WITH 5 MINUTE GAMES OR ACTIVITIES HERE AND THERE TO REINFORCE THE CONCEPT

Over the next few days, my son had a go at writing out the two times table using different mediums such as chalk on the trampoline, coloured pens on papers etc. 

When it comes to teaching the concept of multiplication, and later the idea of times tables, whether you’re a parent or a teacher, I would recommend a multi-sensory approach to teaching and learning. While some children find it easy to learn tables by rote, other find it easier to visualise them using the repeated addition method, whilst others love singing along to songs about them. Our tutors like to use a great app called ‘Maths Rox’. These songs are funk, rock and pop based and catchy - they get stuck in your head et voila - your child can sing the times tables by rote to the tune of ‘Funk it Up’! You can also buy coloured flashcards of times tables up to 12 which my older son loves to use.

Here are some more ideas for teaching/learning timetables:

• Matching pairs games - match the statement with the answer

• Muddle cards up and sort cards in order. Then find the answers

• Write out the times table on your trampoline and then jump and chant it.

• Write the answers in chalk on your fence and then get adult to shout out timetables. Blast the correct answer with a super soaker or wet sponge!

• Build a ‘monster tower’ out of bricks (you will need multilink)

• If you’re multiplying by two, continue adding ‘lots of two bricks’ each time to make the multiplication monster bigger and bigger until you reach 10 x 2!

• Maths education games such as TT Rockstars or Tommy’s Trek are a great way of reinforcing the concept / practising your timetables.

The most important thing is to make it as much FUN as possible. Children are more likely to grasp the concept if it’s presented in a fun and meaningful way.

If you’d like some additional support for your child whether with times tables, maths more generally or any other aspect of learning, do get in touch. We have a team of expert tutors who are able to create fantastic bespoke learning experiences for all children, whatever the subject. We offer maths tuition in Sussex have maths tutors in Haywards Heath, Lewes and many other locations.