Spanish children begin to multiply in school from the age of eight, that is to say, as of the second of Primary and it is in the third of Primary when the multiplication tables already 'dominate'.
But that does not mean that everyone is trained to do it but as learning other knowledge and skills (such as reading or writing) they will do it before or after these ages, depending on their maturation.
And how to help them memorize them without becoming an ordeal? Because who doesn't remember the monotonous repetition of multiplication tables aloud, we were 'singing' to our parents on the way to school, in the car ...
Luckily now we have 'shortcuts' that help children learn more fun. We give you some examples, because there are no magic formulas and what works with your oldest child may not work with the little one. Do not despair!
In Babies and more Game-based learning can make your child succeed in school and beyond Waldorf table: the magic roulette of multiplication
You will only need a round base (a cold cutting board, for example), some pushpins and threads of different textures. The trick is based on geometric figures, which will help you multiply to infinity! In this video they show you how.
Walking among dinosaurs
The voiceover of a child is responsible for reading the operations that appear on the screen and disappear with the help of different species of dinosaurs. A perfect visual and sound combination for the child to assimilate each multiplication with a specific dinosaur. Our brain memorizes images better. Here is an example, with the table of three.
With the fingers
We use 'digitalization' for the tables six to ten, which are the ones that cause the most problems for the little ones when it comes to memorizing them.
We have chosen one of Marina, pedagogue, who explains how to learn the table of six with your fingers. Playing with their hands will help them not see operations as something abstract, written on a sheet of paper.
With a notebook of 'significant' activities
The creators of What is multiplying?, three very involved mothers, that their motivation to do so was "present the multiple meanings of multiplication, which serve as a guide to construct the tables". Thus the child composes them and learns significantly.
And Alejandrina, Antonia and Ana (Alen de Ningures), achieve it with different mechanisms:
With rhymes, drawings and invented activities.
Helping children multiply through a story and jumping down a 100-step ladder. Each table corresponds to a certain cadence of jumps.
In the last part the tables are presented in the form of a grid, taking many examples of everyday life. A bookshelf, a chocolate tablet or the tiles that cover the floor of a mansion serve to understand one of the meanings of multiplication and to use it when we need it.
Find out more about his multiplication activity booklet Much more than multiplying.
Playing cards
It's possible! And it is also a resource of the creative moms of Alen de Ningures. They call them 'Mahabaraja' and propose six different games to learn the multiplication tables. And at any age, since there are different levels of difficulty.
Here they teach you how to play Gauss, one of the games, although you will find them all on their website.
Singing
Without a doubt, it is a very repeated resource for our children to keep the 'couplet' of the tables.
There are many very catchy songs for each multiplication table, even animated by Disney characters or animated television series. Here are some ideas for you to choose the one you like or combine them.
Teacher tips for possible tables
Although not all have tricks, yes the majority, according to the teacher of the video in front of a blackboard with all the multiplication tables: "even numbers, half the number by which we multiply in the even numbers of six ...". Check out the video and stay with the ones you find most useful!
With PVC numbers and treats
You can reuse that boat with numbers and letters that both entertained him when he was little. Encourage him to place with your help the table we want to work complete, with space between the lines. The result, with M & Ms or Lacasitos. And when it is well known, you can reward him with any of the results.
We have chosen the table of two, very easy, to start working with them.
With our TV clowns: Miliki
Yes, they are songs but with a plus, because they are illustrated and invented by one of those people who has most entertained children, and knows how to do it, teaching. It is a classic that you will surely like to remember with your children. Let's go with the four!
With animated stories
From the hand of your favorite characters: Peppa Pig
With educational animated videos, which explain that multiplying is a way of adding
Own story from Tari, her parents and her teacher to learn the table of three.
With urban style
They love music, so ... why not show them the tables dancing and singing rap, salsa, break, practicing body combat ...
That is what some videos with a very urban style propose, like this one to learn the table of seven.
And how about reggaeton?
"Let's give it to 5 now"
Photos | iStock
