Learning the multiplication tables is one of the homework that the youngest children have to do once they arrive at school. However, it is a job that, many times, can be more expensive than it may seem at first. Therefore, there are certain ways to facilitate this work. In this sense, one of the simplest ways and one that can help the most when learning multiplication tables is to sing them out loud. By singing the multiplication tables, we memorize the multiplications in the same way that we do with any song. In this way, our brain has an easier time memorizing any information, including something as particular as multiplication tables.
However, if singing the times tables is a method that doesn’t quite convince you, keep reading a HOWTO and we present a series of games to learn the multiplication tables that will make it much easier to memorize them.
Learn multiplication tables using building blocks
Lego or bricks or building blocks is one of the games most loved by many children and even parents. This game is based on using building blocks to create buildings or any other way you want. However, it can also be a perfect tool when learning multiplication tables. To do this, simply use a piece with a wide base and then place Lego blocks that spatially represent the multiplication tables.
One of the advantages of this system is that it teaches children what multiplication tables really are, and why multiplying two numbers together has a specific result and not another. Keep in mind that, most of the time, learning multiplication tables is done by heart. This is understandable given that these are young children. Despite this, it is very important that children understand what they are doing when they multiply, which is nothing more than adding a number of times the same number is repeated. This can be seen and understood very easily thanks to this game since these pieces are perfect for the child to understand what he is doing.
Rectangle race
All you need for this game that teaches multiplication tables is graph paper and a pen. The game consists of drawing the rectangles on graph paper based on the indications of an adult. In this way, the adult will have to say different multiplications, and the child will have to draw the corresponding rectangles in each case on the graph paper. The objective of the game is to make the most of the paper, so that, to win, you will have to take into account the number of rectangles that have been drawn, the more rectangles you can get on the same paper, the better.
Another option available is to play this game between two children and one adult. In this case, the rules will be the same, although this time both children will take turns drawing the rectangles on the same paper. The adult will suggest the multiplications in turns, so that, in the end, the winning child is the one who has managed to draw the most rectangles.
Cuisenaire rulers to learn multiplication tables while playing
In this case, it is a perfect toy to learn multiplication tables. Cuisenaire strips are pieces of wood that come in different colors depending on the number they represent. They are presented as square prisms that represent a specific figure depending on the extension they have and that, in all cases, correspond to the times that the length represents the width. In this way, both multiplications and the rest of the basic rules of mathematics can be played spatially represented .
It is a simple toy but, despite this, it allows children to experiment with a physical reference when learning the multiplication tables or any other mathematical rule that they will have to learn during the first years of school.
Although they are usually marketed as made of wood, another available option is to make them yourself at home from recycled cardboard. In this sense, it is best to take two centimeters wide as a reference and, from this figure, multiply to obtain each of the numbers. In addition, it is also usually advisable to use a color for each number (which will always be from 1 to 9). In this way, the figure will be obtained in a much more visual and fast way, which will facilitate learning.
In this OneHOWTO video, you can see How to teach multiplication so that you have more ideas.
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