Teach the students the basic concepts of multiplication. Explain to them that it is similar to addition because the same number is being added to itself. For example, 2 x 2 = 4 is equivalent to 2 + 2 = 4. This also applies to 2 x 3 = 6, which is equivalent to 2 + 2 + 2 = 6.
Explain the rules that apply to the zero times tables and the one times tables. Any number times zero is zero. For example, 2 x 0 = 0. Any number multiplied by one is itself. For example, 2 x 1 = 2.
Help students to recognize common patterns in the multiplication tables. Some multiplication tables are easier to memorize than others because they have special patterns associated with them. For example, the two times tables are the same as counting by twos. The five times tables are the same as counting by fives. It is a series of a number followed by a zero, and then a number followed by a five, such as 10, 15, 20, 25, and so on. The ten times tables consists of the number, followed by an extra zero. For example, 10 x 5 = 50, or 10 x 6 = 60.
Give the students sheets that list each of the times tables separately. By not putting all of the times tables on the same sheet, it will help the students to not feel as overwhelmed. Also, it will help them to organize their studies of each multiplication table individually. Encourage the students to study one times table each night.
Make index cards that list multiplication problems for each of the times tables. For example, there can be a stack of index cards for the one times tables, a stack of index cards for the two times tables, and so on. Put the multiplication problem on the front, and the answer on the back. After the student reviews the problems on the sheet, you can test him using the index cards.
Give the student a sheet with multiplication problems from all of the times tables, and see how fast the students can answer the questions. The more the students can reduce their time, and answer the problems correctly, the better they have learned the times tables.