Does you child know his times tables?

Question

Can your child remember his tables quickly? I believe the speed is very important, but they tend to take a long time working them out. My son was the same.

Answer 1

Learning maths provides us with certain cognitive abilities which makes us better learners and problem solvers. This is what research has shown. Also in countries such as India and China where maths is yet taught in a very old fashion way, recent studies shows that children of the same age as ours seem to solve problems and analyse them differently and more efficiently. I don't think that anyone doubts that understanding what multiplication actually is in itself is crucial, but knowing times tables by heart has proven to increase children problem solving performance for problems which require multiplication or division. This gives them the extra drive to do more and better in maths. So in my view knowing times tables by heart which can put them in a better position in a class of children competing one another will definitely have much positive effect on their confidence and learning of Maths.

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Answer 2

Do nephews count?
I have 3 nephews who live nearby
I offered them $20 US if they could answer 25 multiplication questions without any wrong ones.
So far the 12-year old got it by Easter (this was back in 3rd grade)
the next one never got all 25
he keeps stumbling on the 7s and the 8s
7x8!!
In and of itself, its not crucial to rattle all 144 off under 3 minutes but pretty important in understanding division, fractions and factoring

The mental discipline it takes to LEARN the tables is pretty important though. Its an intellectual achievement, like learning the alphabet or being able to count to one hundred, or tie shoes. enjoying the acheivement is very important, helps the kid with confidence!
I am not so sure speed is important, being able to divide and factor are more important IMHO
12x12=144
but
6x4x2x3=144 also
so understanding
36x4=12x12=16x9=3x3x2x2x2x2
that's special too!!

Answer 3

I'm a teacher and I if I'm totally honest I'm not great at tables, I get better when I'm actually teaching multiplication and division, but its certainly not a strength - everyone is different. But as many people have pointed out...does it really matter?

I have heard that a way of learning them more quickly is to chant the answers while throwing a bean bag up and down in one hand, then swapping hands and doing it again - its got something to do with using both sides of the brain and is also meant to help with learning spellings. I'm planning on trying it with my class after christmas, you never know it may help your son too?

Answer 4

Why is being able to rattle of times tables important?

My husband is a software engineer. He deals with very complex math on a daily basis. He never learned his times tables. In fact, he has a hard time with basic math, and usually asks me to do it. He tends to make things far too complicated because that's the kind of math that he's used to.

My son, who is 8, hasn't memorized his times tables. But he does know most of them because of using them. We also like to play math games. And when you're able to do the times table/addition/whatever in your head quickly, you have a better chance of winning the game. So, he's learned from that.

I never learned my times tables by heart. I'm a bad memorizer. So, I learned "tricks". For the higher numbers, I do quick math in my head to get the answer. Same with addition. It's how my brain works.

The school setting is really the only place that knowing times tables is important (ok, maybe in some extraordinary non-school circumstances too). And if one does get a job later where it's important to know the times tables, I guarantee you, that even if they didn't know them very well in school, people will learn them pronto on the job.

Using information for a purpose (such as a job) is the most effective way to learn. If we're learning something just to learn it, with no life application or personal interest, it goes away quickly.

What I find to be far more important in life is to be able to learn new things, and to consider oneself capable. We don't have to have specific knowledge to do this.

So, that is probably far more than you were asking. But, there you are. :)

Answer 5

As an ex-maths teacher, I do not believe that speed is important. The way that tables were traditionally taught was by rote which is not the best method as it stores up problems later. It is better for the children to think about what they are reciting rather than them just reeling them off.

Answer 6

I learned my times tables by chanting them in class for half an hour before assembly in the mornings. I know of no other way.

Interestingly there is a report of a teacher who asked one of her pupils to recite the nine-times table. The child answered, "I'm sorry Miss I can remember the tune but I've forgotten the words!"

Answer 7

toddlers interior the U. S. ought to benefit situations tables besides. i imagine the perfect technique is to commence with techniques from preparation them the conception in the back of it, yet then have them memorize the tables. Use props, like chocolates. Visuals make it less demanding to appreciate. you should apply an social gathering of dividing up chocolates between pals. If 2 pals each and each and every get 2 chocolates, this is 2 chocolates 2 situations or 2x2. commence small. I taught my 5 365 days previous daughter the concept of multiplication way previously colleges ought to.

Answer 8

The basics for times tables is to memorise them. Yes, they should know how to work them out when stuck, but the initial trick is parrot fashion. It's all about practice and finding the visualisation method that works for your child. Trouble is we're breeding a society of idiots - it's too easy to use a calc (do they still exist?), your mobile, computer etc to calculate basic things.

Answer 9

no, he's only three. he's an AMAZING reader, though.

being able to rattle off numbers by rote is meaningless without the understanding of the function of multiplication. Better that they know to add up four fives to get the answer than to know 5 x 4 = 20 without understanding why.

Answer 10

I played a tape of the tables (set to music!) in the car. Nearly drove me mad, but we all learnt our tables by singing along