Understanding Multiplication:
There are lots of ways to introduce your kids to multiplication and give them a solid foundation for learning. If you start by giving them a list of facts to memorize, it seems like nonsense to them. Consider, for example, if I asked you to remember these:
- A x C = Q
- B x T = Z
- S x U = R
You can look at that and immediately think, “What? That doesn’t make any sense!” But unfortunately, if we try to force kids to memorize multiplication facts, it looks just as nonsensical to them.
Multiplication is not a random set of facts or rules. It’s a logical mathematical computation that has a perfectly reasonable meaning. To help your kids see that, you can start by connecting it to something they know: repeated addition. Then you can show them helpful visuals such as arrays and area models, and how to solve problems with number lines or a hundreds chart.
The more exposure and visual models they have, the better developed their understanding will be, and then eventually “memorized facts” will come.
Interactive Multiplication Mats
Before you begin, you will need to print all the mats in the download and laminate them. You can then cut them out and grab some dry erase markers and you’re ready to begin.
Making Multiplication Practice Fun:
While it is certainly helpful to provide opportunities for kids to practice their multiplication facts, it does not mean that it needs to be drill, flash cards or timed tests.
Instead, find ways to provide “productive practice,” meaning there might be fewer problems to solve, but the challenge is greater and deeper.
There are lots of ways to involve kids in productive practice, and today I’m going to share a resource I created to help kids make sense of multiplication using arrays and area models.
How to Use the Multiplication Equation Mats:
There are 2 sets of multiplication mats in this download (20 mats altogether).
The first set includes a visual model and students have to then write a multiplication equation to match the given model. This is incredibly important, because we all need visuals to form connections in our brain and really learn and internalize mathematical ideas.
This will also help kids understand that a multiplication sentence isn’t meaningless. It’s a numerical representation of the picture.
Once kids are familiar and comfortable with this, they can work on the second set of multiplication mats: the build an equation mats.
The second set reverses the challenge. This time, a multiplication problem is given, and students have to “build” it in some way in order to solve.
This can be done a variety of ways, depending on your kids and what materials you have on hand.
For a hands-on option, we used base ten blocks. But you could also use pom-poms, beads, playdough, etc. Or kids can simply draw a representation using their dry erase marker.
I highly recommend you require students to build or draw the problems, though, before moving on. Even if your child already “knows” the answer, it’s important that they can connect the problem to an accurate visual model. This will help build a foundation for larger multiplication problems in the future, as well as in Algebra.
Multiplication Games for Kids
Looking for more... here are some of our other favorite Multiplication Games for Kids:
- Apple Picking Multiplication Game
- Deck of Cards: Multiplication
- Don't Get Caught Fishy Multiplication Game
- Hopscotch Multiplication Practice
- Hot Chocolate Math: Multiplication & Division
- Leap Frog Multiplication game
- Multiplication Mini Book
- Skip Counting Visuals for Kids
Download Interactive Multiplication Mats
Before you download your free pack you agree to the following:
- This set is for personal and classroom use only.
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Bethany is the mom behind the blog, Math Geek Mama, a website dedicated to making math fun and engaging, while building a strong conceptual understanding of mathematics. When she's not playing with numbers, she is exploring with her four little ones, drinking way too much coffee, or soaking up the chaos of everyday life. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.
