When does my child need to know their times tables?

In England, children will be expected to know the following in each year at primary school:

• Year 1: count in multiples of 2, 5 and 10.  Recall and use all doubles to 10 and corresponding halves.
• Year 2: be able to remember and use multiplication and division facts for the 2, 5 and 10 multiplication tables, including recognising odd and even numbers.
• Year 3: be able to remember and use multiplication and division facts for the 3, 4 and 8 multiplication tables, including recognising odd and even numbers.
• Year 4: be able to remember and use multiplication and division facts for the multiplication tables up to 12 x 12.
• Year 5: revision of all multiplication and division facts for the multiplication tables up to 12 x 12.
• Year 6: revision of all multiplication and division facts for the multiplication tables up to 12 x 12.

Ways to practise your tables:

Read/chant the times tables  (see below)

Do it a second time round but this time your child should be trying to say them without reading them from the page. It is more important that they say them correctly than say them quickly to begin with.

Scatter Tables (see below)

To use them, you call out a question from the times table you are focusing on and your child should point to the answer on the page. For example, if you are concentrating on the 5 times table, then find the Scatter Table for the 5s and call out questions like, “9 times 5” (your child points to 45), “6 times 5” (your child points to 30) or “5 times 12” (your child points to 60). Your child should be trying to get them correct each time and not worrying about the speed.

List the tables

Write the focus times table out with their answer, initially in order and then in a random order. e.g. 1 x 2 = 2

Rap or sing 

Songs are a fun way to learn the times tables (Click here for some Times Tables songs)

Practice tests (see below)

Ask your child to complete a TT Rockstars practice sheet that focusses on the table they are working on 

Blank multiplication grids (see below)

Begin by focussing on only a few simple columns for younger children e.g. 2,5,10 and then progress as they become more confident. 

Play TTRockstars online

Children should play for a short while until they are successfully answering the questions quickly.  TTRockstars online can be accessed via https://beta.ttrockstars.com/  or using the app which is free to download. Please ask your class teacher if you need your child's login.

Play other online games

A favourite of ours is Hit the Button

Practise the MTC (multiplication tables check) on this game MTC example game