How to Introduce Multiplication to Kids in a Fun Way

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How to Introduce Multiplication to Kids in a Fun Way

The short story of Why I would Expose my Three-Year Old Son to Multiplication In order to introduce multiplication to kids, you have to make it fun! My son was playing with numbers in our math set and saw the times tables sign(x). He held up the x and wanted to know what it meant. I challenged myself to explain it in a manner he could understand and I succeeded!! A Great Children’s Book to Introduce Multiplication to Kids About three weeks later, I went to the library and saw in the children’s section the title, 3 x 4 a Toon Book by Ivan Brunetti. I thought this comic book would be an excellent tool to further explain how multiplication works to my son.

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Go to the bottom of this post to Access 2 Hands-On Art Activities that will Explain Multiplication

The author provides colorful pictures, diverse characters, and a great storyline to introduce multiplication. A Brief Summary It is about a teacher who gives his students a homework assignment of drawing 12 things but in sets. A few students raise their hands and ask the teacher about various options to completing their homework. For example, one student asks, “Can I draw 3 sets of 4?”, the teacher replies, “It’s up to you!” The story goes on to show the reader the process that each student executes to complete their homework assignment. One student likes baseball, so he draws three of each item: baseball, gloves, bats, and hats. There is one student that needs more time to process her homework assignment. Her mom, dad, and even little brother are there to help her undertake this project. She comes up with a great idea at the end; however, you will have to read the book in order to find out what it is! Tips for Parents and Teachers At the end of the book, you will find tips for parents and teachers on How to Read Comics with Kids. The author explains how kids are naturally drawn to the detailed pictures in comics, which makes them want to read the words! Read this book and provide your child with an entertaining explanation to the importance of multiplication! What are other ways to teach multiplication tables to children? One common way is to have children study their times tables a certain amount of time each day. This is how I learned. However, there are creative ways through play that children can learn as well.

1. Build a number city of multiples with Legos.
   • My son saw a YOUTUBE video about counting by 3s. We built the following numbers with legos: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24,
   • We created a role play where his toy elephant’s mission was to destroy the city.
   • Every time elephant knocked down and destroyed a number, my son had to build the number up.
   • This role play provided familiarity with multiples of three.
   • Plus, my son was the city’s hero because he kept building the numbers up.
   • He did not realize he was learning while doing this activity.

2. Songs– Many people know the words to a lot of songs not because someone taught them but through hearing it repeatedly. Use this same concept with learning multiplication.
   • We love the Mark D. Pencil Multiplication Album.
   • Try playing and dancing to these catchy multiplication songs. 
   • Rock to this Multiplication Rap song in the car or at home. 
   • Help the child create a song about their times tables and perform it for the family.
   • Get the whole family involved by having different members play household instruments to the song.

How do you learn your time tables quickly? A great way to learn time tables quickly is through tricks. Here are some examples of tricks below…

1. Multiples of 10 – just add a 0 to the number
   • 3 x 10 = 30 (Add 0 to 3 to make 30)
   • 4 x 10 = 40 (Add 0 to 4 to make 40)
2.  Multiples of 11 – (double the number for number 1-9)
   • 3 x 11 = 33 (write the number 3 twice)
   • 5 x 11 = 55 (write the number 5 twice)
3. Multiplies of 9 – (use your fingers)
   • Watch this video to learn how.

Multiplication is a concept we use often in life; additionally, it is great to learn it in a fun way! Tell me how you introduce multiplication in a fun way to your child or students. Happy Learning! Don’t forget to Sign Up for our FREE Course of How to Teach the Alphabet in a Fun Way! OUR KID FRIENDLY FAST & FUN STUDY TRICKS FOR BETTER GRADES: 9 FUN STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS IN LEARNING AND SCHOOL HAS $29 OFF THE ORIGINAL PRICE. Our books are available on Amazon, “Teach Your Toddler to Read Through Play,” “Fun Easy Ways to Teach Your Toddler to Write, and “Teach Your Child About Money Through Play.” THE TEACH YOUR TODDLER TO READ THROUGH PLAY ONLINE COURSE HAS A $97 DISCOUNT. Click here for the PAYMENT PLAN OPTION! Get the password for the library with 2 Hands-On Art Activities That Will Explain Multiplication by completing this form. Once you press the GET ACCESS NOW button, we will send you an email with the password. Then go to SOY Resource Library and enter the password.