How to Memorise Times Tables? Step by Step Guide for Kids
Many parents and teachers feel stressed when a child learns multiplication tables. It is very common for kids to get bored when they have to remember so many numbers in their minds before year 4. If it’s hard for kids to remember these facts quickly, then their math homework becomes much longer. This can make them lose their confidence in school each passing day.
The good news is that figuring out how to memorise times tables can be very easy with the right plan. You do not have to use boring ways to teach your child at home. Instead, you can use fun tricks and simple steps to help them become a math star. One of the best ways to help them is by playing Hit the Button, which is a free, quick-fire questions game. Here are some proven methods that help kids learn these math facts in an easy way.
What are Times Tables?
If you are still confused and ask what is times table, I’m here to teach you everything about times tables. Times tables are not just a list of random numbers, they are also a shortcut for adding the same number again and again, which is also called repeated addition. For example, when a kid sees 3 x 4, it means what the kid understands is “three groups of four.” Instead of counting every single item one by one, kids can say 4 + 4 + 4 = 12. Once a child sees this pattern, the learning becomes better.
Most of the teachers use the term “commutative property” which means that multiplication works in both ways. If a kid knows that 2×5 = 10, then he already knows that 5×2 = 10. This simple rule immediately halves the number of facts your child needs to learn! By understanding these number relationships, your child will build a strong number sense that helps them in every other part of math.
Importance of Times Tables | Real Facts
As per the UK National Curriculum (KS1 and KS2), children must know all their tables by the end of Year 4. Since 2020, most schools have used the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) test to see how quickly kids can answer questions up to 12 times 12. In the MTC test, they have only 6 seconds to answer each question, so they have to be very quick and proactive.
Learning these basics is more than just passing an MTC test. It is about freeing up space in a child’s working memory. If a child takes too long to count on their fingers to find 6 times 7, they will forget the rest of the math problem. Quick automatic recall lets their brain save energy for harder topics like fractions and dividing numbers.
Having strong mental maths skills also helps children in daily life outside the classroom. For example, if a child wants to buy 4 toy cars that cost 5 pounds each, they can instantly figure out they need 20 pounds to buy them. If kids have number sense, they can easily count money or double a recipe when baking cookies at home!
The biggest benefit of learning multiplication tables is the confidence they build in a child. Kids who understand number patterns do not feel confused when they look at a new math worksheet. They know they have the math skills to solve big problems without any fear. It’s all about learning math with practice.
5 Easy Steps of Learning Times Tables
Teaching times tables can feel like rocket science for parents. But you don’t need to worry at all, as I have broken it down into five easy steps. These steps will help your child stop counting on their fingers and start answering quickly. Don’t be in a hurry, as step five has the biggest secret to building fast mental maths skills for life. Don’t miss it. Here are the five steps;
Step 1: Start with the Easy Times Tables First
Don’t try to teach the hard numbers directly to the kids. Not all multiplication tables are the same. If you start with the hard times tables, your child will feel a lot of mental stress when they don’t answer them on the first try. You should always begin with the easiest maths times tables to build their confidence first. When kids give the answer to any maths question, they get matchless confidence for the next maths problem.
Here is the ideal order to teach the easy tables:
The 1 times table: Any number multiplied by one stays exactly the same.
The 10 times table: Just tell them to put a zero at the end of the multiplied number.
The 2 times table: This is just doubling the number. Most kids already know how to double things from their early math classes.
The 5 times table: You can use skip counting for this. The answer will always end in a five or a zero.
The 11 times table: For any number up to nine just write the exact same digit twice. For example four becomes forty four.
Pro Tip for Parents: Do not jump from one table to another table too fast. Make sure your child completely masters one table before you show them the next one. Mixing them up too soon will confuse their brain and slow down their learning. Once they know these easy number patterns, they will be ready to tackle the harder numbers.
Step 2: Use the Commutative Property
Many children feel confused when they look at a huge grid filled with 144 different number facts. But you can teach them the commutative property, a secret math trick. This means that you can flip the numbers around and the answer will always be the same.
Let’s look at a very simple example. If your child works hard to learn that 4 times 8 equals 32, they automatically know that 8 times 4 also equals 32. They learned two different math facts, but only did the hard work for one of them. This simple rule instantly cuts the total amount of facts they need to memorise almost in half.
To make this trick really stick, you should print a blank multiplication chart for your child. Give them a bright marker and let them cross out or color all the matching pairs. When they realize that knowing their 5 times table also means they know the entire 5 times column, it gives them a huge confidence boost.
Step 3: Learn in Small Steps
The biggest mistake parents make is forcing their child to memorise the entire multiplication table at once. Kids will not learn these tables overnight. Parents need to understand. A much better way to learn multiplication is to use the chunking method. This simply means breaking the big table down into smaller parts.
Instead of just reading the numbers, you should use active recall, a brain trick. Active recall is all about hiding the answers and forcing the brain to remember them. Here is the perfect daily practice routine to build true maths skills. We have added a special trick in step three that most teachers forget to tell you!
Step 4: Use Spaced Repetition
When your child finally learns a new math fact, you might think the hard work is over. But actually not. Reality becomes different. The reality is if they do not practice that exact same fact again they will forget it very quickly. The secret to locking numbers into their long term memory is a trick called spaced repetition. This means testing them on the same facts but waiting a little longer between every single test.
Most parents just ask the same questions every single day which gets very boring for the child. To make this work better you should change how you test them on different days.
Here is a highly effective practice schedule parents can use at home:
Practice Day | What You Should Do |
|---|---|
Day 1 | Learn the new numbers slowly without any time limit. |
Day 2 | Ask them the same questions out loud to check their memory. |
Day 4 | Mix the new facts with older facts on a piece of paper. |
Day 7 | Use an online maths game for a fast speed test. |
Day 14 | Do a simple surprise quiz in the car or during breakfast. |
This pattern works perfectly because it forces the brain to work hard to remember the correct answer before it slips from the mind. The more the kids use their memory, the stronger it will become. You do not need to make boring paper tests for every single review day. Instead, you can use fun tools and apps, like press the button 4 or 5 times a week.
Step 5: Aim for Automatic Recall
There is a big difference between giving a correct answer and knowing it instantly. If your child is still using their fingers to count the times tables, they are using too much brain power. The final goal and the only solution is automatic recall, where the answer just pops into their head.
As a parent, you can easily test this with the three-second rule. Ask your kid a question like 7 × 8. If the kid takes more than three seconds, he is still counting in the brain.
Pro Tip for Parents: To build real speed you should let them play hit the button maths game on time challenge mode.
5 Easy Shortcuts to Learn Times Table
If you are still confused and stuck to count on multiplication tables, here are some proven shortcuts you can use to remember the times tables. These shortcuts are actually a hack to get the answer to multiplication as quickly as you catch the trick. You won’t find these times table tricks anywhere.
Fingers Trick for 9 Times Table
The 9 times table looks very hard, but it has the best magic trick to help kids learn quickly. Tell your child to hold both hands out in front of them, palms facing forward. To figure out 9 times 4, they just need to count to their fourth finger from the left and fold it down. Now look at the other fingers. They will see three fingers on the left and six fingers on the right. You can quickly get 36 by adding those two numbers together.
This shortcut for the times tables works perfectly for all numbers up to ten and makes math problems feel like a fun game instead of work.
Addition Trick for 11 Times Table
The 11 times table is one of the easiest in maths. For any number up to nine, all you need to do is repeat the exact same digit twice, so 11 x 4 magically becomes 44. Most teachers will tell you to just memorize the harder ones, like 11 times 12, but there is actually a brilliant multiplication shortcut for that, too. Just take the number you are multiplying by 11 and pull its two digits apart.
To solve 11 times 12, separate the 1 and the 2, then add them together to get 3. Put those 3 right in the middle, and you will get your final answer of 132. This secret trick makes learning more enjoyable and engaging.
10x Trick for 5 Times Table
It’s a very easy way to learn tables for 5 because it has a pattern that makes every answer end in either a five or a zero. You can multiply any number by five by first multiplying it by ten and then cutting the answer in half.
To figure out 7 times 5, for example, you just add a zero to the seven to get 70 (7×10), and then you find half of 70, which is 35. If you are looking for tips on how to teach times tables to 7 year old children, you will see that this amazing way to multiply takes your child away from counting on their fingers and helps them learn how to do math in their heads for such bigger numbers.
Doubling Method for 4x and 8x Times Tables
You can use a very simple doubling method instead of making your child memorize everything if they have trouble with the 4 times table or the eights. To multiply a number by four, just double it and then double your answer. For example, to get 4 times 7, you first double 7 to get 14 and then double 14 to get 28. For the 8 times table, you can simply get the answer by doubling a number three times in a row.
For example, to find out what 8 x 5 is, you just need to add 5 to get 10, then add 10 again to get 20, and then add 20 again to get 40. Isn’t it simple? These quick math tricks convert hard problems into easy addition steps that kids already know how to learn their times tables.
The Hard Facts Short List
Research shows that more than 75% of kids get stuck on a few specific multiplication facts. For example, 6 times 7, 6 times 8, 7 times 8, and 8 times 8 are among the toughest answers, as they don’t have any hacks. This places a heavy burden on their working memory.
Instead of doing the same thing over and over again, you can use silly memory tricks to solve this problem. For example, to remember 7 x 8, you can count up by saying 5, 6, 7, and 8 (56 = 7 x 8). This means that 56 is exactly 7 times 8. The best way to teach multiplication tables to kids is a funny rhyme for 8 x 8, like “I ate and ate until I was sick on the floor because eight times eight is sixty-four.” Giving these tricky numbers extra attention helps their brains with fast, automatic recall.
5 Common Multiplication Chart Mistakes to Avoid
As parents, we all want our kids to learn quickly so they don’t fall behind in school. But rushing the learning process can make kids fed up quickly. Below are the top 5 mistakes parents usually make unintentionally, and here’s how to fix them.
Times Tables Practise Methods
Research shows that study becomes easy learning for kids when the teachers have fun with them. They get more engaged in the learning process. If teachers only give worksheets to kids and ask them to just focus on the study without looking anywhere, they will get bored in no time. When teachers and parents turn math learning into a game, it becomes easier and for kids brain to learn everything quickly.
Here are some exceptional ways to make kids learning a fun;
Easy Games to Play at Home
Traffic Light Quizzes: While driving, ask your child a maths problem and ask them to give the correct answer before reaching the next traffic light signal. This will create the curiosity in kids to solve the problem before the deadline.
Rolling the Dice: Roll the two dice in a board game table. Upon getting the two numbers, ask your child to multiply these numbers. This is a great way to have a different question every time you roll the dice.
In the Classroom
Table Tennis Maths: In the classroom, give a math question to students and ask them to give the answers on the first hand, quickly as a ping pong ball.
Times Table Bingo: Give each student a bingo card with the right answers on it. Just call a multiplication question and let them select the right card having correct answer. The best thing of this method is to engaged whole class.
In Real Life
Baking Together: Ask your child to double the cake recipe’s ingredients. If the recipe calls for three cups of sugar, ask them what two times three is. This will give them a chance to do it practically.
County Money: Give them ten pounds and ask them to give the three pounds to the maid, four pounds to the farmer and how much money they have with them. This is a great way to let them know how to spend money and how to count the remaining.
Pro Tip for Parents: As we know, kids love to use electronic devices. You can let them play interactive math games like Hit the Button on a phone or tablet instead of watching cartonic videos. The time challenge mode is just like a real video game. This enables them to practice every day so they can try to beat their own high score.
Practise Times Tables Using Online Maths Game
The hardest thing for parents nowadays is to find an effective way to make daily math practice real fun. This is why teachers all over the UK strongly suggest that their students play press the button game. It is a quick, interactive math game made just for KS1 and KS2 students to learn their numbers.
Educational psychologists know that making learning fun releases dopamine in the brain. This natural chemical helps a child remember new things much faster than reading a book. This is exactly why this game is better than other ways of learning:
For the MTC Test: Kids have exactly six seconds to answer each question. Click the button maths game has a soft countdown timer that gets your brain ready for this kind of pressure. The ticking clock makes it impossible for them to rely on finger counting and helps them remember things right away.
Correctness and Quick Fixes: A kid can write the wrong answer twenty times on a paper worksheet before a parent checks it. This makes bad habits. This online button number game gives immediate visual feedback, so they know right away if they did something wrong.
Confidence and Motivation: A child who thinks they know their math is very different from a child who just proved it by getting 20 out of 20 in 60 seconds. Looking at their own high score keeps them playing and learning.
Full Curriculum Coverage: This online math game covers a lot more than just the 1 to 12 times tables. It is a full set of mental math tools because it also tests division facts, helps kids understand what are number bonds, doubling, halving and even square number games for free.
Did you know? Science says that the key to being good at math is to practice a little bit every day. You don’t need to study for hours. If they play online math games for just five minutes every day along with their regular homework, they will see a big improvement in their speed and accuracy in just a few weeks for sure.
TImes Tables Practice Questions
It’s time to put all of these new math skills to the test. Don’t just give your child a boring list of questions. You should sit down with them and see how quickly they can answer. Keep in mind the six-second rule we talked about before. Circle that question and add it to your daily practice if it takes them more than three seconds to find the product.
Level 1: The Warm Up (These build early confidence)
5 × 4 = ?
10 × 7 = ?
2 × 8 = ?
11 × 3 = ?
Level 2: The Tricky Middle (Time to use those math tricks)
4 × 6 = ?
3 × 9 = ?
4 × 8 = ?
5 × 9 = ?
Level 3: The Final Boss (Testing the hardest multiplication facts)
6 × 7 = ?
8 × 8 = ?
7 × 8 = ?
9 × 8 = ?
The Answer Key for Parents:
Level 1: 1) 20 | 2) 70 | 3) 16 | 4) 33
Level 2: 5) 24 | 6) 27 | 7) 32 | 8) 45
Level 3: 9) 42 | 10) 64 | 11) 56 | 12) 72
I’ve divided these practice questions into three levels so that your child can slowly gain confidence in their math skills. First easy, second medium and the third one will make them pro in the times table.
How to Teach Times Tables? Pro Tips
Teaching math is not hard if you know how to teach math in real fun environment. Here are some experts tip for parents and teachers as well to make maths learning more enjoyable for kids. Let’s break down each;
For Parents at Home
Don’t just say “good job” when they get the right answer. Cheer for their hard work and praise their effort. Tell them they did a good job. If you tell them you love the way they did not give up even on the hard questions, they feel immense pleasure with pride. This helps them develop a growth mindset.
Get everyone involved: Play the online math games with them. They will want to join if they see you having fun and playing the same game. It shows them that everyone needs to work on their numbers.
Use a sticker chart to celebrate: Kids love to see how well they are doing every single day. Put up a colorful chart on the wall of your bedroom or kitchen. Let them put a shiny star or graphical points on the chart each time they learn a new table.
Don’t put pressure on them: Kids don’t grow under pressure. When a child is under pressure, their brain does not work on its full capacity. Always make sure that your daily practice time is fun and relaxing so that your kids don’t think of math as stressful. They should ask you the next day to play again.
For Teachers in the Classroom
Daily Warm-Ups: Begin every class with a three minute brain warm-up. Just asking them random questions for three minutes to recall their memory and get them ready to learn new maths problems. This will enhance the mind’s creativity.
Go after the hard numbers: We know that facts like 6 times 7 and 8 times 8 are the hardest for everyone. Be very intentional and spend more time playing games with these exact numbers.
Use smart digital tools: Don’t waste your time grading hundreds of paper tests. When your students finish their classwork early, let them play the online button press game. You can also give them homework to play the game and send you the game score card.
Keep going: You don’t have to wait for perfection. Just keep going by teaching new math topics to your students. They will learn all the math skills with the passage of time. Don’t be in a hurry.
Why Kids Struggle in Solving Maths Questions?
When a child fails a math test, many parents think that they just have a bad memory. But scientists have shown that the order of learning times tables is almost always the real problem. When kids learn their numbers by singing them in order, they only remember the order. This means that if you suddenly ask them what 7 times 6 is, their brain has to sing the whole six times table from the beginning to get the answer. This slow method makes people panic and blank out when the school timer is running out.
Interleaved Practice
This is a scientific way of saying “mix things up”. You shouldn’t just practice one table; you should mix up facts from different tables. When the brain is asked a completely random question, it builds a memory pathway that is much stronger and faster. This is how the UK Multiplication Tables Check is made by mixing things up at random.
The Power of Desirable Difficulty
Educational psychologists know that the brain gets lazy when a task is too easy. The child feels frustrated if it is too hard. But if you add a little bit of fun to it, like a sixty-second game timer, it makes things harder in a good way. The brain wakes up, focuses deeply, and puts the information into long-term memory without getting tired.
The 24-Hour Forgetting Curve
Science shows that if new information is not tested, the brain will naturally delete it within 24 hours. The forgetting curve is what this is called. This is why a quick 10-minute practice session every day will always help a child learn more and remember it better than making them study for two boring hours on a Sunday afternoon.
Final Words
When parents ask how to memorise times tables, the answer is never to just look at a big grid of numbers for too long. Your child will learn real mental math skills by using smart tricks like the doubling method and practicing for short amounts of time every day. These effective methods make large times table into simple patterns that kids can easily understand.
The most important thing to remember is that short, regular study sessions will always be better than long, boring ones. Your child will feel much more confident about their school tests if they practice with mixed random questions for just ten minutes every day. Use fun, interactive maths games like the click the button math game to keep their minds active without making them feel stressed. Your child will soon be a mental math champion if you are patient and use these expert tips.
