by Samantha Overmyer

Created on: January 20, 2011   Last Updated: January 21, 2011

When teaching multiplication it is helpful to incorporate fun activities into it so that their full attention is focused on the task at hand. A few supplies and some fresh new tips are everything you need to teach multiplication.

Flash cards and rewards

Multiplication flash cards come in handy and are affordable on most budgets. Start with a set of grade appropriate flash cards and then buy a more advanced set when they outgrow the first set. Sugar free snacks or a variety bag of party favor toys can serve as good rewards when they answer four or five out of five answers correctly. Positive reinforcement will boost their spirits and encourage them to succeed.

Multiplication fun

Have them practice multiplying their favorite things or other fun items. For example, if a little boy likes matchbox cars have him count three sets of two of his favorite style car. Once he has three sets sorted into pairs have him count the total number of cars. When he says that there are six cars point to the three sets of two and say, "Three times two is six." Have him try different pairings of numbers until he can multiply sets on his own with pairing and counting. The memorization will come naturally because it is a hands on activity. The same can be done with something fun like balloons or chocolate covered raisins.

Games

Make math fun with the concept of childhood games. Draw a grid on some cement with chalk. If you don’t have a sidewalk you can play this at the park or use the floor of a garage. The squares should be big enough for a kid to stand in. On their turn, read them a multiplication question. If they get it right, they can step forward one square, but if they get it wrong they should step back one square. Then move onto a new question for the next child. They can move forward or backwards whether they answered right or wrong. Whoever makes it out of the grid on the other side first wins the game. Have them do this for a while, but if they start to get bored after a week or two then you can up the stakes with a reward system

Last, but not least, you should take notes and record progress. Keep in mind what areas they are struggling. Write down which times tables they've completed. These few ideas are some new things that you can try when teaching multiplication facts to kids so that they have fun, as well as learning about math.

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