Help! My Child is Struggling with Math Facts
Have you wondered how you ever going to get your child to learn multiplication facts?
As many experienced parents will tell you, it takes consistency. It’s just that for many of us, the consistency isn’t easy and isn’t usually fun.
Here are a few ideas that when implemented strategically can make the process smoother.
1. Find out which facts are the most difficult for your child.
There are a few ways you can find out which ones are the most difficult for your child.
You can give your child a page with about 100 facts (up through 12 x 12) and tell your child to ONLY fill in the ones he knows. Tell him that he does NOT have to answer the ones he doesn’t know.
Another way is to use flash cards. If you have a complete set, go through them making two or three piles. Make an “I don’t know” pile, a “Needs more practice” pile, and a “Mastered” pile. If a fact takes too long to answer, be sure to put it in the “Needs more practice” pile.
The two piles: “I don’t know” and “Needs More Practice” are the ones you will focus on.
You might weekly or biweekly reassess and watch the pile of “Mastered” grow.
2. Keep track with a multiplication chart or table.
No matter how you test your child on what he does or doesn’t know, you wan to keep track of the ones your child still needs to learn and make goals with those.
You should NOT EXPECT MASTERY WIHTIN A WEEK. You might have quite a pile, and that would be an unreasonable goal. You should, however, expect significant progress within a month with some consistency. Reward progress and don’t have unrealistic expectations. Children are motivated more as they experience more success. Set your child up for success by recognizing improvements no matter how small.
On a chart, you can use color (YELLOW) to show the ones that are very difficult, versus the ones that need answered a bit faster (BLUE). You could also go through and circle the ones that have NOT been mastered.
If you would rather just color in the ones that have been mastered (GREEN) without a doubt it will be encouraging to your child. It depends on your child’s motivation and personality how you plan to carry out the plan.
3. Sort which ones you want to practice first.
Look for PATTERNS in the facts your child still needs to learn.
Commutative Property: If your child knows 3 x 5, be sure that 5 x 3 is also known. If not, show your child that the order does NOT matter in multiplication when it comes to the answer (much like addition).
Other patterns might be how some facts are related to others. Sometimes the 4s are difficult for kids.
4 x 7 = 28……but if a child knows that 2 x7 = 14 (because the 2s are easier for kids) then you can show the connection that
since 4 is double the amount of 2,
then 4 x 7 is double the amount of 2 x 7,
28 is double the amount of 14
You can show the RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
2s and the 4s
3s and the 6s
4s and the 8s
5s and the 10s
6s and the 12s
Another pattern exists with the x 9 facts. The 9s multiples are “almost 10s.”
Ex. 6 x 9 is almost 6 x 10
54 is almost 60 (In fact, it’s just 6 less than 60)
When writing the x 9 facts vertically, you will also notice a pattern:
18
27
36
45
54
63
72
81
90
Notice the tens place. It increases by one ten each time. Notice the ones place. It decreases by one each time.
If you take each of these products (answers), and add their two digits, it will add up to be 9.
*I don’t usually need to pull out all of those tricks, but there are a few to get your starting and thinking of noticing patterns.
Making connections will help your child succeed sooner.
4. Choose your method of regular practice.
Flash Cards
You can purchase these in the store, but I prefer to make them. Watch my video on making flash cards by clicking the button below.
Only practice a FEW AT A TIME and gradually add more over time. Continuing reviewing the first ones.
Have your child quiz YOU!
Have your child quiz himself by checking the back of the card for the answer.
Use virtual flash cards on the computer or on an app.
Copywork
I know a few veteran teachers who SWEAR by this method. You just need to be nearly to be certain your child is copying the fact with the correct answer. Add some fun by using markers, colorful pens, or even a small notebook.
Apps
*Teach Me Math Facts—Reviews facts by the number group with very entertaining awards!
*Math Bingo—Easy, middle, and difficult level of mixed review facts
Click the button below to see a demo!
Memory Drawings
Special sketches and sayings to remember math facts can be extremely effective in certain children. TIMES TALES is just one example, but there are others. Search “drawing math facts.”
I am an affiliate with Times Tales.
Board Games/Dice/Card Games
You can purchase multi-sided dice (yes, even more than six sides!) and roll them to multiply the numbers together if you’d rather. You can purchase specific card games and board games that review multiplication.
5. Re-assess, keep track, and award
Use flash cards to quickly assess:
The reason why I like flash cards when I teach and tutor is because they are a fast way for me to quiz, review and assess. I just make the same piles as mentioned earlier:
“Mastered”
“Needs Practice”
“I Don’t Know”
Grab-and-go flash cards (even ones I’ve made myself) allow me to quickly check my child on progress.
Use an app that keeps track
Some math apps will keep track for you of your child’s progress. In “Teach Me Math Facts,” you can see how well your child has done one each section. I love this app! Click the button below to watch my review on “Teach Me Math Facts.”
“A little each day goes a long way.”
Even 10 minutes each evening or morning will work wonders. If you can’t sit down with your child each time, at least assign time set aside for copy work or app practice or something else.
A few final thoughts…
Instead of making your goal to LEARN THEM ALL, make a SMALLER GOAL AT FIRST—something that you know your child can reach! This might be “memorizing 5 difficult facts.” Allowing you child to work toward and reach that goal will build confidence and motivate him to learn more and earn another award for the next goal. Maybe it’s a trip to the movies or a special toy or a special play date with a friend. You do what works for your family.
If you find that your child is SIGNIFICANTLY behind classmates, talk to the teacher and see if you can both agree to plan to learn the facts over. LONGER PERIOD OF TIME. Most teachers are willing to work with you. I’m here to tell you that you might get a teacher who expects a new grouping of facts to be memorized each week. However, I’ve rarely seen that work out well for a struggling math student. Constant review and consistency is KEY.
You will see progress with 10 minutes of DAILY practice, but it might not immediately reflect in his grades at school if the teacher is moving quickly. Use time off from school (from holiday breaks, weekends or unexpected days off) to put fact practice as top priority. It is only for a season, but it will be SO WORTH IT!
Would you be interested in a FREE guide on teaching the Multiplication Facts? Download my parent survival guide here:
Remember, YOU are your child’s MOST INFLUENTIAL teacher.