Math Learning Steps

Missing pieces

If your child memorizes the one or two remaining multiplication facts, they will then know all of single-digit multiplication! For example, they may not know what 7 times 7 is yet. Similar to adding twins, squares are a fun category for many children, and these can be practiced on their own. Keep all this practice light-hearted and do not get too goal oriented.

Pulling it all together and memorizing

Bit by bit, with practice and repeated exposure, your child will memorize all the multiplication facts. While it is important that these eventually become easy and automatic for your child, it is not essential that this happens quickly. It is far more important that you make this fun and that your child enjoys seeing how the various multiplication facts interrelate – which ones are doubles or halves of others, which ones are one more or one less than others, and which ones have interesting patterns with their ones digits.

Limited and fun flashcards

Used sparingly and lightheartedly, flash cards, or something similar, can be helpful. If your child has trouble remembering a handful of the multiplication facts, make a list of just those facts so they can be briefly practiced on their own.