A guide for parents
Times tables made fun
Times tables stick best in small pieces and in moments when they make sense. A few tips that work in our home.
Start with groups, not with the table
Multiplication is repeated addition: 4 × 3 is four groups of three. Put buttons or blocks on the table and let your child build the groups.
Once the groups make sense, move to numbers. The table is the last step.
First 2, 5 and 10, then 3 and 4
The 2, 5 and 10 times tables have a clear rhythm (even numbers, fives, zeros at the end). Your child gets an early win.
Build the others on them: 4 × is double 2 ×, 9 × is 10 × minus one group.
Five minutes a day is enough
A short daily practice works better than an hour on Sunday. Go back to the sums that were hard – there is no need to drill the easy ones.
Times tables at the shop
“Three rolls at four coins each – how much do we pay?” Shopping shows your child what times tables are for. Our game Kioskee is built on this: your child runs a little shop and works out the prices.
Written by Honza, a former teacher and a dad of two daughters.
