Times tables are where a lot of children's confidence wobbles — and where a lot of homework battles start. But the problem usually isn't your child. It's the method: most kids are asked to memorise before they understand, and memory without meaning falls apart fast. Flip that order and times tables get far easier. Here's how.
The evidence is clear: children who understand the concept behind multiplication learn the facts faster and remember them longer (Mathnasium, 2025). Understanding first isn't the slow route — it's the shortcut.
Key Takeaways - Teach the concept (multiplication is repeated groups) before memorising facts (Mathnasium, 2025). - Learn the tables in a smart order: 2s, 5s, 10s first, then 3s and 4s, leaving 7s and 8s last. - The commutative property (3 × 4 = 4 × 3) almost halves the facts to memorise. - Keep it short, playful and low-pressure — pressure slows progress.
Why do children struggle with times tables?
Children struggle with times tables when they're asked to memorise facts that don't yet mean anything. A child who has only chanted "six sevens are forty-two" has a fragile string of sounds; the moment they're nervous or tired, it slips. Without the underlying concept, every fact is an isolated thing to remember — dozens of them, with no connections to hold them in place.
The fix is to build meaning first. When a child truly understands that 4 × 3 means "four groups of three," the facts become reconstructable, not just memorised. That's why understanding-first learners are faster and more durable (Mathnasium, 2025). For the bigger picture of building maths confidence, see our guide on helping your child love maths.
Step 1: Teach what multiplication means
Start by showing that multiplication is just repeated addition — equal groups. Lay out three plates with two biscuits each: "three groups of two, that's 3 × 2." Use arrays (rows and columns of objects), Lego, buttons, anything you can physically group. The goal is for "times" to mean something your child can see and touch.
This concrete stage is the foundation, and it's worth taking slowly. A child who can build 4 × 3 with objects will understand the answer rather than guess it. Skipping this step is the single most common reason times tables don't stick.
Step 2: Learn the tables in the right order
Teach the tables in an order that builds on itself, not 1 through 12 in sequence. Start with the easy, pattern-rich ones: 2s, 5s and 10s. These have obvious patterns (counting in fives, everything ending in 0 or 5), so they give quick wins and build confidence. Then move to 3s and 4s, and leave the trickier 6s, 7s, 8s and 9s for last.
This order matters because each table you learn shrinks the next. Learning in a smart sequence reduces the total number of facts a child must memorise and teaches the relationships between numbers (Mathnasium, 2025). Quick wins early also protect confidence — which, for maths, is half the battle.
Step 3: Use the commutative property
Teach your child that 3 × 4 gives the same answer as 4 × 3. This single idea — the commutative property — almost halves the number of facts they need to memorise, because every fact they learn comes with its mirror for free (Mathnasium, 2025).
Show it physically: turn an array of 3 rows of 4 on its side and it becomes 4 rows of 3 — same objects, same total. Once a child sees that the order doesn't change the answer, a daunting grid of facts suddenly looks half as big. It's the most motivating shortcut in the whole topic.
Step 4: Practise little, often and playfully
Practise in short, frequent, low-pressure bursts rather than long drills. Pressure slows progress, while steady, relaxed exposure builds comfort and eventually fluency. Five minutes of a fun multiplication game beats twenty minutes of tense flashcards every time.
Mix up the methods to keep it fresh: songs and chants for patterns, a multiplication chart to spot relationships, dice and card games, and real-life moments (how many wheels on four cars?). Variety stops boredom and hits the facts from different angles. Our roundup of maths games to play at home has plenty that double as times-tables practice.
Step 5: Connect tables to real life
Use everyday moments to show multiplication in action. Grocery shopping ("three packs of four yoghurts — how many?"), setting the table, sharing snacks and counting in groups all make multiplication purposeful rather than abstract. Real-life examples reduce maths anxiety and make the facts feel useful (Mathnasium, 2025).
These moments also quietly teach division — the flip side of multiplication ("twelve biscuits shared between three of us"). Weaving maths into daily life is one of the most effective things you can do, and it costs nothing. Many of these number skills rest on solid early number sense, so a wobble there is worth shoring up first.
What if my child finds it really hard?
If times tables are causing real distress, slow down and check the foundations rather than pushing harder. Often the issue is a shaky concept (multiplication as groups) or a gap in number sense, not a lack of effort. Drop back to concrete objects, rebuild the easy tables for quick wins, and keep sessions short and warm.
Watch the emotional temperature, too. Tears and "I'm rubbish at maths" are signs to ease off, not press on — around 20–25% of children experience maths anxiety (Child Mind Institute, 2025), and it blocks the very memory times tables rely on. Our guide on maths anxiety in children can help.
Make multiplication visual: The Times Tables & Multiplication pack teaches the tables through arrays, skip-counting and patterns — eight colourful infographics with matching printable worksheets, built to grow understanding, not just memory. Instant download, print at home. Pair it with our Fractions for Kids guide once multiplication is secure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age should kids learn times tables?
Children usually start times tables around ages 7–8 (school Years 2–3), beginning with the 2s, 5s and 10s, and build toward all tables by around age 9. But you can lay the groundwork much earlier with counting in groups and skip-counting. Readiness matters more than age — make sure your child understands multiplication as equal groups before drilling facts.
What order should I teach times tables in?
Teach the easiest, most pattern-rich tables first: 2s, 5s and 10s, then 3s and 4s, leaving 6s, 7s, 8s and 9s until last. This order gives quick confidence wins and means each table learned shrinks the number of new facts left, because of the commutative property. It's far more effective than going 1 through 12 in order.
How can I make times tables fun?
Use variety and play: songs and chants, dice and card games, a multiplication chart for spotting patterns, movement (skip-counting while jumping), and real-life moments like grocery maths. Keep sessions short and pressure-free. Children learn facts far better when relaxed and playing than when drilled, so a five-minute game beats a long worksheet.
Should my child memorise or understand times tables?
Both — but understanding first. Children who grasp that multiplication is repeated groups learn the facts faster and remember them longer than those who only memorise. Build the concept with objects and arrays, then move to recall through playful practice. Memorisation without understanding is fragile and falls apart under pressure.
The Infographic EDU Team creates visual learning resources for children, parents and educators. This guide is informed by published guidance from Mathnasium, the Child Mind Institute and reputable maths-education sources. It is educational and not a substitute for professional advice. Published and last updated: 26 June 2026.
