Learning Multiplication: Fun Ways to Help Your Elementary Student

In third grade, your child will start to develop an understanding of math concepts like multiplication, division and fractions. Multiplication comes easily to some students, but others struggle to grasp it and relate it to what they already know (i.e., addition). Practicing multiplication is important, but it’s easier to convince your child to do so when it is enjoyable. Here are a few tips to make learning multiplication a lot more fun:  

Teach multiplicative reasoning with snacks. Teachers introduce multiplication as repeated addition. They build on students’ understanding of units of one to teach them about composite units (i.e., units of multiple units). At home, use your child’s favorite snacks to illustrate this concept. Grab a bag of pretzels, and have your child make two (2) groups of three (3) pretzels and count them out. Explain that another way get to the answer six (6) is to add 3 twice, or add 2 3 times. Then, explain that the multiplication problem 3 x 2 = 6 is the same thing as 2 groups of 3 pretzels. Keep challenging your child by having them create more groups of other snacks—seven piles of 10 grapes, for example.  

Use interactive apps and online games to encourage multiplication facts mastery. Early math multiplication homework focuses on the multiplication tables. Apps and websites with multiplication games and activities make memorization of math facts entertaining, and many encourage daily practice by giving students rewards for meeting certain milestones. An online search will reveal many options. Ask your child’s teacher for recommendations of good games to try if they don’t suggest any to your child. 

Play multiplication arrays games. In math, arrays are arrangements of items or numbers in rows and columns to represent data. An example of an array is the 0-10 multiplication table that your child must memorize to learn multi-digit multiplication, division and fractions. You can use arrays to teach the concept of multiplication (and help your child master the math facts). Browse online for array worksheets, or create your own array activities. Example:  

• Get a bag of small candies or mints.  
• On a sheet of paper, draw several boxes and write “      rows of __” at the top of each box, filling in the blanks with numbers. For example:  

4 rows of 3 

6 rows of 5 

7 rows of 2 

3 rows of 3 

• Instruct your child to create an array using candies or mints.  
• Have your child write the multiplication equation that the array represents below it (e.g., 4 rows of 3 represents 4 x 3).  
• Have your child solve the multiplication problem (e.g., 4 x 3 = 12) and show you/tell you why.  

Play multiplication “UNO.” Remember the classic card game UNO? Adapt it for multiplication practice with a regular deck of cards. Each player is dealt 7 cards, and the remaining cards are placed in the center. The object of the game is to get rid of all the cards you are dealt. In the remaining deck, one card is flipped over to begin play. Whoever can match the same number or suit that is on the first card may play first. After a player plays their card, they must multiply the number on the previous card and the number on the card they are playing. For example, if an 8 of hearts is the first card laid down to begin play, one player could play an 8 of spades, and multiply 8×8. 

Each numbered card is worth its own value. Aces mean ‘multiply by 1’ and are a wild card. Kings, Queens, and Jacks mean ‘multiply by 10’ while Kings also mean ‘draw 2,’ Queens are a reversal card, and Jacks are skip-a-turns. Jokers mean ‘multiply by 100’ and are also a wild card + “Draw 4.” 

Create a key of these card values and meanings to help the players remember the rules while the game is still new. 

Building a solid foundation of multiplication is essential for your child to advance to other mathematical topics in elementary school and beyond. If your child is struggling, don’t wait to correct the problem. Huntington can help. We’ll conduct a comprehensive academic evaluation and create a personalized learning plan to address your child’s weaknesses. With stronger math skills, your child will be able to keep up in class and feel more confident about school. Call us at 1-800 CAN LEARN.