Learn How to Teach Multiplication to Children in a Few Simple Steps
Updated on February 23, 2024
The task of teaching multiplication to children often falls on adults. Following their understanding and appreciation of addition and subtraction, children must also demonstrate proficiency in multiplication. Kids understand multiplication when you explain it to them simply, even if it seems complicated at first.
6 Creative Steps for Teaching Kids Multiplication
Different approaches provide various results for children when it comes to teaching multiplication. While some students may find math problems easy, others may need more time.
Fostering critical thinking abilities requires making sure every student discovers their preferred learning style while also exposing them to other techniques. Here are six stages to follow while teaching multiplication to a child:
Start With Addition
Kids typically think multiplication is confusing because they haven’t noticed the patterns yet. Children will have no issue with the most barebones multiplication if they understand it is just repeated addition.
Repeated additions fail when dealing with three-digit integers. Nonetheless, the tactic works with smaller integers.
But how does it function if this tactic is so elementary?
To solve a problem like 4×2, kids can add 4 and 4 to get 8. If there is a two-digit number and a one-digit number, as 10×5, children may calculate 50 by adding 10+10+10+10+10. Repetitive additions get more complex as the numbers become greater.
Repeated addition is one of the easiest ways to teach kids to multiply small numbers.
Teach With The Multiples Of Zero
Use zero and its multiples in your lessons. Zero is an intriguing and complicated concept despite its seeming lack of use. Look at this: your children may find 4+0 = 4 interesting, whereas 4×0 = 0 may confuse them.
An easy way to help kids understand the use of zero is through words and pictures. You may ask, “If I don’t give Brandon any pencils, how many will he have?” Clearly, “none” is the answer. That’s one way to help children understand zero multiplication.
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Using items that kids already like may help them understand multiples of 0. Finding a method your child responds to early on in the process is crucial when teaching multiplication.
Teach Multiplying By One
The idea that everything multiplied by 1 keeps its value could be complex for children to grasp, especially when the whole point of multiplication is to grow. Children learning multiplication are searching for answers that make sense to them mathematically and logically, given their current understanding.
After teaching children that multiplication gives them the possibility of having a larger number, it is key to clarify why multiples of 1 are equivalent.
Simply asking, “If I give Brian an orange once, how many oranges does he have?” is a perfect way to use the concept. One would be the correct answer, and that solves the problem.
Move To Multiplication Tables
You may go on to the multiplication table once you’ve taught children multiples of zero and one and repeated addition.
When children see the multiplication table, they already know that after solving the multiples, they can add the numbers again and again. You may start with tables 1 to 12 and add more as needed. But you should be aware that once children see the answers in the tables, they will start memorizing the multiplication tables rather than solving them.
Starting with the most basic numbers on the table may help youngsters learn this step more efficiently. Make sure each student has a hard copy of the multiplication table. Now, have them tackle the less complicated table sections using basic counting or repeated addition.
Some kids find it simplest to work with 2, 5, 10, and 11 and use them in tackling increasingly tricky multiplication problems. A great response to how to teach a kid multiplication is to ensure the children understand the challenges and how to solve them by gradually breaking them down.
Teach The Ease Of Commutative Properties
Commutative property means that the order of numbers does not determine the outcome. In a multiplication table, 2 may be put before 4 or 4 before 2, but the result will always be 8.
Understanding commutative properties makes learning multiplication easier for children. Now, they know that 2×13 =26. The benefit of learning the multiplication table is shown by the ease with which children could answer problems by turning the numbers over in their heads.
Help kids memorize the table
Children need to memorize multiplication facts since they will be useful in many real-life scenarios. As their memorization abilities improve, kids will find it simpler to tackle more complex multiplication problems down the road.
To help children memorize the multiplication tables, begin with the easier ones, such as the 1s, 2s, 5s, 10s, and 11s, then work their way up to the more challenging ones.
Practical Approaches To Teaching Children Multiplication
Before you begin explaining multiplication to a child, it is necessary to address the issue, “When do kids learn multiplication?”
Your teaching techniques and tools must captivate children since they begin learning multiplication at age three. While having fun is the way to teach kids multiplication, it certainly isn’t the only one. Incorporating a printable multiplication chart into your teaching resources can offer a visual aid that simplifies the learning process for children, making it easier to understand and memorize multiplication tables. There are simpler ways to teach multiplication to children, but they may not work when it comes to helping pupils who are having difficulty.
Therefore, to help youngsters learn multiplication, below are five concrete methods:
Play Math Games
The best way to teach multiplication to children is to include it discreetly in their playtime. A child’s memory is trained by the repeated process of playing games, which often involves scaling through stages. So, if a game is teaching a youngster about multiplication lessons, they will get the concept after playing it a few times.
Everyone in your family can have fun with the Timetable Buzz. Line up the kids according to the family you choose from the multiplication table. For instance, in the 5s family, each child should be assigned a number. When it reaches 5, one child shouts “buzz,” the next says “2,” and so on. Move to 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and ‘buzz!’.
Use Math Websites
Even though math tutors are fantastic at teaching concepts, practicing multiplication alone is the ideal approach to learning multiplication. Introduce kids and their parents to math websites and ensure they register.
You may find entertaining and educational math videos and games on these websites, which can help students learn and make your teaching life simpler.
Brighterly is an online platform that offers a one-to-one learning experience for children. This website is one approach to learning multiplication quickly since a tutor pays close attention to specifics, which helps youngsters learn more quickly.
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Introduce Fun Math Books In The Classroom
An engaging approach to teaching multiplication to children is through colorful math books. These books can captivate kids and spark their interest in the topic.
Most publications use animals and other visually appealing objects in repeated lessons. Choose math books your children will be eager to open, even when not in class.
Also, because you know your students will at least try the tasks in the math books, assigning homework to them will be easier.
Break The Times Table Into Smaller Chunks
It will be pointless to teach your children everything on the 12 tables at a go. Their tiny brains won’t have room to understand the idea.
However, you might begin by assisting them with memorization of the table based on individual numbers. Choose a single number. It’s best to start with a small number and ensure the kids fully understand it.
Children will rapidly grasp the concept of multiplying as they go on, as cramming too much knowledge into their minds will not help them at all.
Give Children Space To Practice
Kids learn best when they aren’t pushed to their limits. Therefore, it is important that you, as an educator, provide children with enough time and space to learn multiplication without interruption. But keep an eye on the kids’ development and correct them when necessary.
They are still children, so it’s okay if they mess up. With plenty of room to roam, they’ll thrive. You can also check out the article on how to memorize multiplication table fast so the kids can learn easier.
Recite The Multiplication Table
The easiest way to teach multiplication faster is for kids to recite the multiplication table. Have them repeat the table as they go to school. If you are a teacher, you can ask kids to recite it before daily activities start.
The children will learn the multiplication table by heart if you use this simple method.
Use Word Examples
Put more words to get youngsters talking instead of teaching them how to solve math problems with numbers. Make the kids actively participate by including word problems in your multiplication sessions.
You can use kids’ names for better engagement. The key is making the kids feel like they are part of a real-life multiplication story. When you teach a child multiplication in this way, they will be engaged, and it will be cushy for you as a teacher.
Conclusion
Multiplication can be an easy concept if you teach it right. With the correct resources, kids can learn to work with big numbers, even when multiplication is involved. A youngster may learn multiplication more quickly if you use stories and games to break up the subject.
To make learning multiplication easier, Brighterly provides a wide variety of entertaining games and activities. As a result, your kids may now enjoy learning and master multiplication.