A blackboard, whiteboard or even a large, easel-mounted drawing mat are among the most helpful teaching aids for elementary math. Using a bold marker or piece of chalk will help attract students' attention and help them stay focused on the teacher and what he is teaching. This central teaching element can be used for everything from writing math equations to drawing pictures to represent to students the complex ideas behind math concepts like multiplication or fractions.
Worksheets are invaluable as elementary math teaching aids. They can be found online or in textbooks, often free of charge, for every type of math problem under the sun, from counting to long division. It is fairly easy to print worksheets tailored to individuals students' particular needs, making worksheets the perfect custom answer to a classroom full of students struggle in different areas. Parents can print them at home and give them to kids to keep their minds fresh during the summer. And they are portable and are one of the most uncomplicated homework forms.
For many students, visual aids are an absolute necessity in learning elementary math. The written equation "2 x 3 = 6" makes no sense to them -- but place three groups of two buttons in front of them, and the concept becomes bright as day. Elementary math props can be created from almost anything, from pieces of paper to leaves. (It is important to note that as students progress through elementary school, and begin dealing with larger and larger numbers, props will need to be things available in large quantities, like buttons or change.)
Flash cards are important for teaching math facts, once concepts have been learned. Addition and subtraction facts and multiplication and division facts should be memorized when students are in early elementary school -- learning advanced concepts in middle and high school becomes much simpler when the basic facts are already memorized and second nature. Flash cards are available online that can be printed on card stock, cut out and used over and over.