Many children learn their multiplication tables by practicing them over and over again. Give students worksheets with math equations for individual numbers, such as one, three or four, at first so that they can practice individual numbers and gradually give them worksheets with multiple numbers. Have contests where students compete to solve math equations more quickly than others or time students to see how many equations they can finish. Use worksheets with word problems as students become more advanced with using multiplication to challenge them and use everyday examples to teach them. Use flashcards to reinforce multiplication tables, having students go over multiplication equations with you in groups or by themselves using ready-made or homemade flashcards.
Classroom games give children an opportunity to be competitive while learning their multiplication tables. Use multiplication games when children in your class have developed a grasp of how to multiply different numbers. For these games, either have children work in groups or by themselves. For a multiplication Bingo game, use flashcards with multiplication equations on them and have students look on their Bingo cards for the answers to the questions. For a game such as "Math Baseball," a child from one team tries to solve a math equation on a flashcard before a student from a different team to move around homemade bases. When one runner from a team gets on base, other runners from the same team move up. The team that gets the most runs at the end of the game wins. For a card game such as War, have students try to multiply the two cards that are flipped up before their competitors can.
Some students are able to learn their times tables through musical activities, although other children respond better to more traditional methods. During these activities, get children involved by playing a musical instrument or music from a CD or website and having students sing along. Play the music over and over to reinforce different multiplication equations, starting with easier numbers such as one and two and working up to harder ones such as four, six, seven, eight and nine. Combine musical activities with other methods, such as flashcards and worksheets, to have the best chance of having students memorize their times tables.
Although computers can sometimes be a distraction, children are able to learn from computer games if they are having fun in the process. Multiplication games often ask children to complete everyday tasks, such as figuring out how many of something they need to complete a task. They sometimes ask children to do multiplication equations to advance in the game, and some games have children compete against each other to see who can finish the fastest. Free multiplication games for children are available on websites such as Academic Skill Builders and Multiplication. When you have children learn through computer games, monitor their play to make sure that they don't go to other websites or games. Since it can be difficult to play computer games in a classroom, consider suggesting online multiplication games to parents as a way for their children to practice outside of the classroom.