Locate a comfortable, well-lit area free from distractions. A table or hard surface will also be helpful. You will use this area to study, evaluate and memorize addition facts.
Write down several addition problems on a sheet of paper, leaving the answer spaces blank. Make at least five worksheets with an assortment of problems arranged in different sequences. These worksheets can also be printed off the Internet at no charge. Use worksheets to evaluate the student and to help him memorize his addition facts quickly.
Evaluate the child's current math fact knowledge using the worksheet. Understanding the level he is at will help determine where to begin. If the student already knows the facts but just needs to build speed, he will require a different learning approach than someone who needs to learn how to add.
Help the child practice addition using objects to better grasp the concept. Small pieces of candy or crackers work well for children. Arrange the pieces into two groups, with different amounts in each group. Instruct the student to add them by first counting how many are in each group and then counting the total amount. This will help him understand what it means to add two groups together.
Make flashcards using index cards and a pen. Write the addition problem on one side and the answer on the other. Make several of these with different addition facts. Be sure to cover all facts that need to be memorized.
Quiz the child three times per week, using the flashcards. Shuffle the cards throughout the process so that they are not continually in the same order. You should notice an increase in the speed that the child recalls the facts.
Use the worksheets you printed to help the student increase his addition speed. Set a timer and keep track of the student's progress in recalling the facts. Setting time goals can help encourage the student to build speed. Continue to practice until the student can recall the facts quickly and accurately.