What’s all the Fuss about Times Tables?
You’ve got the homework diary home and your child’s teacher is asking them to revise times tables AGAIN! You have gone over and over and over them and can’t take it any more. And yet, you’re being asked to go back and revise these for what feels like the millionth time! Is there a method to their madness, or are teachers just trying to fill your time with unnecessary nonsense? As a Key Stage 2 teacher (who is always going on at parents and kids about times tables), I’m going to explain why they are an important feature of the numeracy curriculum and could help your child get ahead in their education.
Times tables form the foundation for harder maths. Multiplication underpins division, fractions, algebra, area, ratio, percentages etc. Without good understanding of multiplication, each step gets harder and more inaccessible for your child.
Quick recall = brain space freed. If your child can recall times tables instantly, they don’t waste working memory on the basics, meaning they can focus on the actual problem/ task at hand.
Boosts confidence. Children who know their times tables feel more capable and less anxious about maths. Knowing their times tables gives them a better starting point for tackling tricky task with confidence.
Everyday life skills. Shopping deals, cooking measurements, sharing a bill - multiplication is everywhere. Having a good knowledge of tables sets your child up for success in adult life.
Problem-solving speed. In exams and later studies, having quick recall of times tables saves time and reduces careless mistakes.
So how do we develop this quick recall? Repetition. Repetition. Repetition. This need not be boring. That’s why we created our Times Tables Learning Box and our Times Tables Digital Downloads. To give your child the tools they need for times tables success.