How to Memorize the Multiplication Times Tables

If your child is at the memorization stage, then presumable your child has learned the CONCEPT of multiplication. If your child is still struggle with the concept of multiplication (which may be taught to your child as "repeated addition" as in 4+4+4=12, or pictorally as 3 groups with 4 stars in each group), there are better websites for that.

We focus here on MEMORIZATION of the multiplication times tables because (1) it's a good thing, (2) it's expected, and (3) it's crucial to future math success.

Without lots of practice, and really, without memorization of the basic 12 x 12 multiplication times tables at this stage (of 3rd or 4th grade), a child is likely to struggle with math for the rest of his/her schooling (and life).

Why is that? Don't know. But, I think it's something like, if you don't learn to memorize the alphabet early on, reading will be an uphill battle.

What I do know is that children who MASTER the multiplication times tables by the end of 4th grade do significantly better in math.

And, remember, MEMORIZATION is different than just doing your nightly multiplication math problems. MEMORIZATION IS MASTERY.

If your children are like most, they didn't come with a handbook. And, they certainly didn't come with a handbook called "how to help me memorize the times tables." I didn't get those handbooks either.

However, God did happen to gift me with not only a brain for math, but also with a brain for teaching math to kids. And, amazingly, it seems to work very well.

Let your child focus on the 2s, 5s, and 10s multiplication tables first.

Get the habit built here first.

Don't necessarily start with the 1s tables. Multiplying by 1 (and 0 too) is a very interesting concept. It's not that natural. "Johnny bought 3 ice cream cones for one friend. How many ice cream cones did he buy altogether?" It just doesn't flow.

Now, this sounds much easier: "Johnny bought 2 candybars for each of his 4 friends. How many candybars did he buy altogether?" Now that makes much more sense.

4 x 4 = 16

4 x 5 = 20

4 x 6 = 24

That's as much as your child can learn in any 15 minute period. Don't waste your breathe doing drills and practices on the entire 4s tables (out loud).

When you're trying to MEMORIZE (which is very different than practicing), do only 3 equations at a time. Mix them up. Do them forwards and backwards. Have your child say the entire equation out loud. Do them in word problem form. At the end of one hour, doing just 3 at a time, your child will have the entire 4's times table memorized!

Let your child say the times tables out loud.

Your child can say:

1. the entire equation

2. just the list of products (as in counting by 2s or 4s or 5s) (e.g. 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48)

3. just the answer to your equation question (e.g. "What is 2 times 4?" child says "8")

Let your child say as much as possible out loud:

- When saying the 4s tables products, let them say it over and over again. Remember, when a child says or does something correctly 5 times in a row, he/she is on the way to mastery.

- Do flash cards often.

- Let your child talk out loud when he/she is doing the written multiplication drills.