When school
starts in August, there are always many students who don’t know or remember
their times tables. They usually tell me
that they forgot them over the summer. I
then point out that they managed to remember their ABCs over the summer so why
not their times tables? The obvious answer is that they use the alphabet for
reading, while they don’t use times tables, at least not often enough.
So let’s try
to change that. We all agree that knowing your times tables is important because they are the building
blocks for learning division, algebra, long multiplication and fractions. And
brain studies show that repetition helps build synapses in the brain – the more
you repeat it, the more natural it becomes to have the answer pop into your
head.
Math facts
are best learned when your child understands them and uses them in different
situations. Your child needs to understand that multiplication is repeated
addition – a faster way of adding. You can help them by developing number sense
for facts. For example, if they know their six times tables easily, they
already know a sevens fact (7 x 6). If
they can’t remember 6 x 6, they might remember 6 x 5 is 30 and then can add 6
and 30 to get 36.
Music,
stories, and visual associations can help with learning and retention. Some great free apps for practicing facts are
Splash Math, Sushi Monster, and Multiplication Rap. Two apps that are good but
cost 99 cents are Squeebles Multiplication and Tower Math. A website that I
like is www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/7-11-years/times-tables
Don’t get
frustrated if your child doesn’t learn as quickly as you think they should –
negative emotions reduce learning.
You can help
your child by:
ü Finding out what they already know
ü Be interested in math
ü Provide encouragement
ü And above all – HAVE FUN WITH IT!
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