Incorporate games into the learning process to keep the child's focus. Kids correlate games with fun, so turn math into a fun activity. The variety of multiplication games available also allows for portability from home to the classroom. Try playing the multiplication game "Around the world" in the classroom. The first student stands next to the next student's desk as the teacher shouts a multiplication problem, the first person to answer correctly continues to the next desk. The winner is the last person standing at the end of the desks. Continue the math games at home online with websites like Helping With Math, Multiplication and Soft Schools.
Learning multiplication songs can help children remember the rules and processes of multiplication. According to a theory by Schoolhouse Rock, "putting multiplication facts to music would make them easier for kids to learn." Schoolhouse Rock, a company originating in 1973, created short videos to air on ABC featuring catchy tunes on lessons from science to math. Show the videos, available online, to your child to help teach multiplication tables through 12. You can also teach rhymes and other songs or raps with a multiplication theme. Songs for Teaching supplies a long list of multiplication songs and raps such as Waltz and Multiply by Three, Counting by 9's and The Times Tables Blues.
Add some fun to your multiplication lesson with arts and crafts. Constant review remains critical to memorizing the laws of multiplication math. During art class, make multiplication tables with your students to take home and practice with the family. To form the table simply make a square with 12 boxes across and 12 boxes down. Fill in the top of each outside row with the corresponding number from one through 12. Work with the kids to fill in the answers. For example, the top left corner represents 1x1 so the first box is a 1. Continue on multiplying the number of the top box by the number of the box on the side to fill in the subsequent boxes. The students can decorate any way they wish. Supply the students with construction paper, glitter, colored pencils, embellishments and other craft products.
Constant review of past and current material remains vital to your child's success. Before beginning a multiplication lesson, review addition. Do not continue a lesson until every student feels confident with the prior lesson. Start by teaching how to multiply by zero and one before moving on to multiplying by two. Provide after school attention for struggling students if needed. Send the students home with multiplication worksheets to continue the practice outside of school hours. Encourage parents to purchase flashcards with multiplication problems to help quiz the students at home as well.