Teaching multiplication to kids isn't such a big headache as you might think. If they understand addition then they will easily understand multiplication.

Let's start at the basics.

Repeated addition

During the lower grade levels, especially Grade 1 and 2.
Do you remember these types of sums

1 + 1 + 1 = 3

we call these types of sums: Repeated Addition
in basic terms it means that you add the same amount, same number a certain amount of times.

Let's practice some repeated addition

1. You have 2 packs of cars. Each pack has 5 cars. How many cars do you have?
   
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   5 cars + 5 cars = 10 cars

2. Peter had 1 cookie, John had 1 cookie, Ben had 1 cookie and Sandy had one cookie. How many cookies did they have all together.
   
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1 cookie + 1 cookie + 1 cookie + 1 cookie = 4 cookies

1. Here is a worksheet you could do:
   
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What happens after the learner understands repeated addition?

After the learner understands the method of repeated addition this is where the hard work truly begins. Learners must now, in my opinion, start learning the multiplication table by heart. If they learn it this way then no matter how many time they have to do multiplication they will later know the answer by heart.

Here is a multiplication song you can use with your kids:

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Fun ways to practice multiplication

1. Ice cream sticks

You will need the following:

1. Ice cream sticks
2. Permanent markers
3. 2liter ice cream box

Instructions

1. Write the timetables on the ice cream sticks using the permanent markers
2. Put them in the ice cream box.
3. The learner pulls out the stick and gives the answer to the multiplication sum.

There are a lot of creative ways to learn the multiplication tables. Just use your creativity!

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