(You’ll learn more about why in Step 3 below.) How fast should my kids know the multiplication facts?Īim for no more than 3 seconds per fact, and faster if possible. (For example, that 3 × 8 means “3 groups of 8.”) It also helps if she knows how to add one-digit numbers to two-digit numbers mentally. Each set of facts builds logically on the previous set, so it’s important that your child learn them in this order.īefore your child begins memorizing the multiplication facts, you should first make sure that she understands what multiplication means. What do my children need to know before memorizing the multiplication facts?īefore memorizing the multiplication facts, your child should first learn the addition facts and subtraction facts. If your older child hasn’t mastered the multiplication facts, it’s not too late. But no matter what age your child is, learning the multiplication facts will make her much more confident and successful in math. That way, they’re well-prepared to tackle third- and fourth-grade math topics like multi-digit multiplication, equivalent fractions, and division. In what grade should my kids learn the multiplication facts? They use so much of their working memory on simple calculations that they have little brain space left for understanding new concepts. Without full mastery of the multiplication facts, kids struggle as they start to tackle division, fractions, and problems with larger numbers.

Related: Free Printable Multiplication Table (Blank and Completed)Ĭan you imagine trying to find common denominators or equivalent fractions without knowing 5 × 6? Or trying to do long division when you’re not quite sure what 7 × 7 is? And don’t even get me started on factoring polynomials… Remember these from Algebra 1?.

The multiplication facts (also known as the times tables) are all of the multiplication problems from 1 × 1 = 1 up to 10 × 10 = 100. What are the multiplication facts (or times tables)? Why are they so important? Psst…want an all-in-one, open-and-go resource for teaching the multiplication facts? I’ve put all these steps together into one book for helping your kids master the multiplication facts. But, they come at the end of the process, not the beginning. Practice and drill do help kids memorize the multiplication facts.

These parents want the best for their kids, but they’re skipping a few steps…and they’re making the whole process a whole lot more painful and tedious than it needs to be. So, these wonderful, well-meaning parents figure that there’s only one way to help their kids master the multiplication facts: make a big stack of flash cards and start drilling. In this article, you’ll learn a step-by-step plan for teaching your kids the multiplication facts.īut first, let’s get straight on what NOT to do.įor many people, memorizing the multiplication facts equals rote practice.

Practice multiplication table game