How to help your child learn their 10 times table with memorisation techniques from a primary school teacher! Then practise your 10 times tables with our practice problems.
Author
Michelle Griczika
Published
May 2024
How to help your child learn their 10 times table with memorisation techniques from a primary school teacher! Then practise your 10 times tables with our practice problems.
Author
Michelle Griczika
Published
May 2024
How to help your child learn their 10 times table with memorisation techniques from a primary school teacher! Then practise your 10 times tables with our practice problems.
Author
Michelle Griczika
Published
May 2024
Key takeaways
Table of contents
Helping children learn their 10 times table is a great place to start when beginning to teach multiplication because 10 times tables feature predictable patterns and easy skip counting. Children as young as Key Stage 1 learn how to count by 10s, a skill you can refer to when teaching the 1 to 10 times table. For more tips on how to help your child learn the 10 times tables, keep reading!
| 1 x 10 = 10 | 10 x 1 = 10 |
| 2 x 10 = 20 | 10 x 2 = 20 |
| 3 x 10 = 30 | 10 x 3 = 30 |
| 4 x 10 = 40 | 10 x 4 = 40 |
| 5 x 10 = 50 | 10 x 5 = 50 |
| 6 x 10 = 60 | 10 x 6 = 60 |
| 7 x 10 = 70 | 10 x 7 = 70 |
| 8 x 10 = 80 | 10 x 8 = 80 |
| 9 x 10 = 90 | 10 x 9 = 90 |
| 10 x 10 = 100 | 10 x 10 = 100 |
In my experience teaching, I have seen firsthand how students with a solid foundation of multiplication facts typically succeed more in maths. Quick recall of multiplication facts allows them to focus on other problem-solving aspects. So, how can parents assist their children in building this critical foundation for mathematics? Let’s check out some tips and ideas for learning the 1 to 10 times tables.
Before focusing on memorising facts, I recommend helping students understand the overall concept of multiplication. Though they must memorize the facts eventually, starting with rote, isolated memorisation prevents them from applying their learning to various contexts.
Regardless of the times table your student(s) are trying to learn, explain that another phrase for multiplication is “groups of.” For example, 1 x 10 is the same as 1 “group of” 10. To show this concept, you can gather 10 small objects such as beans. Count the objects individually, then make 1 group of 10. Next, introduce 10 more objects and count them all individually. Split them into 2 groups of 10 and guide your student in noticing that there are still 20 objects, but they are now organized into 2 groups of 10. Record these on your paper or dry-erase board as 1 x 10 = 10 and 2 x 10 = 20.
It is essential students know 1 x 10 is the same as 10 x 1. This is called the Commutative Property of Multiplication, which states that changing the order of the factors (the numbers being multiplied) does not change the product (the answer). It can be overwhelming for students to think about learning all 20 facts of the 1 to 10 times table, so you can show them how they are just learning 10 facts! Once they learn one fact, they have to learn another simultaneously.
You can also use manipulatives to demonstrate the Commutative Property of Multiplication. Take the same 20 objects and group them into 10 groups of 2. Explain how this represents the equation 10 x 2 = 20 since 10 groups of 2 (2 objects in each group) equals 20.
Ask your child what they notice is the same about each fact: the factors are the same but in a different order, yet the product remains the same!
As students advance in their learning, you can encourage them to draw circles or small lines on their paper instead of using manipulatives. For 2 groups of 10, this would look like 10 circles grouped, then another 10 grouped.
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Students will also notice how the product is always the non-10 factor with a 0 on the end. This is a wonderful trick within the 10 times table! Please encourage students to use the wording “place” or “put” a 0 if they utilise this strategy instead of “add” a 0. “Placing” a 0 emphasises the critical place value understanding of how to make a number 10 times larger. “Adding” 0 technically does not change the value of a number, as 5 + 0 is still 5, not 50. Their future upper-stage teachers will thank you!
Another skill you can draw on when teaching the 10 times tables is to ask students to count by tens. My young students caughts on so quickly because of the predictable pattern! You can even use skip counting on their fingers to show how they already know that 1 group of 10 is 10, then 20 (2 fingers), etc.
Once they understand the concept behind the 10 times tables, the next step is plenty of practice! Catchy songs help students immensely, not to mention they are fun! My pupils begged to listen to songs every day. On their multiplication tests, they silently sang the songs we listened to themselves if they got to a fact they couldn’t immediately remember!
Another strategy I recommend for building memorisation is flashcards. These can be easily made with paper or index cards, and you can also find plenty of practice online. Flashcards and similar practices are essential because you can mix up the order of the times table of 10.
When the facts are out of order (such as 2 x 10, 6 x 10, 1 x 10, etc.), students must remember the actual fact instead of following the pattern for skip counting by 10. You can personalise these further by making a set with the 10 factor first- 10 x 0, 10 x 1, 10 x 2, and then a separate set of the non-10 factor first- 0 x 10, 1 x 10, 2 x 10. When you think your child is ready, mix the sets.
DoodleMaths is an award-winning app that’s filled with thousands of questions and games exploring multiplication, division and more! Plus, get free access to DoodleTables with any DoodleMaths subscription!
Designed by teachers, it creates each child a unique work programme tailored to their needs, doubling their progression with just 10 minutes of use a day. Try it for free!
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10 x 4 =
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Lesson credits
Michelle Griczika
Michelle Griczika is a seasoned educator and experienced freelance writer. Her years teaching primary school lends depth to her understanding of diverse learning stages. Michelle enjoys running in her free time and undertaking home projects.
Michelle Griczika
Michelle Griczika is a seasoned educator and experienced freelance writer. Her years teaching primary school lends depth to her understanding of diverse learning stages. Michelle enjoys running in her free time and undertaking home projects.
Parents, sign up for a DoodleMaths subscription and see your child become a maths wizard!
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80 stickers
30 chocolates
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