Math can be a stressful subject for many parents, and multiplication is one of the most feared subjects. When your child comes to you for help with their multiplication, you may feel like simply running away. If this sounds like you, chances are your fear of multiplication all comes down to two reasons. The first was that the procedures you were taught in school didn’t truly teach you the intricacies of the operation. Secondly, multiplication can be complex and has many different manifestations. It is ok to reach for help, so if you are thinking of math help services for your child, contact Dropkick Math today!
Making Math Fun!
Due to the confusion around multiplication, many parents are left wondering if there are any ways of making learning multiplication fun, enjoyable, and easier. Learning multiplication is a vital skill that children must learn before entering high school. Therefore, it is essential that parents try to find different ways to teach their children, so they do not fall behind in their studies.
One solution to helping your child with their multiplication is online math tutoring. But, if you want to engage your child with some offline learning, we can help with some highly effective tips on how to teach multiplication the easy way.
Hang Up A Multiplication Chart
This is an old technique, but it has stood the test of time. Go online and find a multiplication chart that you can download and print. Sit down with your child and go through the multiplication chart, filling in each individual box together. Hang the completed chart up in a place where your child will see it regularly (e.g. the refrigerator door, next to the family computer, or their bedroom door.) Set a regular time for you and your child to sit down and have a casual run through a particular set of multiplications a few times a week. Just keep in mind that the more they see and practice their multiplications, the more likely a child can learn them.
Take One Step At A Time
Teaching multiplication should be like building a house. You need to start with the foundation first, so teach your child the simplest multiplications first and save the harder ones for the end. The two times table is an excellent starting point as they’re pretty straightforward and just involve doubling each number. 10s are simple, too, as they just involve moving the number one place value to the left. Once your child has mastered the basics, their newfound sense of confidence can help them conquer the more complex tables.
Teach Some Multiplication Strategies
One of the great things about mathematics is that it can be full of strategies to help children learn. Some examples of strategies include:
x 0 – always equals zero (6 x 0 = 0) or (100 x 0 = 0)
x 1 – equals that number (1 x 8 = 8) or (9 x 1 = 9)
x 2 – double that number (2 x 4 = 8) or (10 x 2 = 20)
x 3 – double and one more group (3 x 2 = 6) or (3 x 11 = 33)
x 4 – double, double (4 x 2 = 8) or (4 x 20 = 80)
x 5 – count by fives (5 x 10 = 50) or (5 x 8 = 40)
These strategies can be fun, but it is important to encourage your children to understand why these techniques work and the mathematical reasoning behind them.
Check Their Fluency!
Once your child seems to be getting the hang of their multiplication, it’s time to put them to check their fluency. Choose times when there’s nothing else going on and no distractions. This can include walking them to school or while you’re waiting for a bus. Try to make the questions fun and entertaining and normalize these check-ins by allocating a specific time of the week they will happen rather than springing it on them randomly. These quizzes should not be too stressful and should be aimed at building your child’s confidence by praising what they have learned and how far they have come.
Enroll Your Child In Dropkick Math
If your child is struggling with their multiplication or other foundational math skills, Dropkick Math can help. Our custom-tailored programs are specifically created for students, helping them gain confidence in the building blocks of mathematics and develop conceptual understanding. We create a fun and dynamic educational environment through engaging games and interactive learning tools. Our Waterloo math services help children in the area and throughout Ontario. All of our programs are taught online to be accessible to any child anywhere.
Get your child started today with our FREE assessment!
