Making times tables less troublesome

As any teacher can attest, getting kids back into the swing of things after summer vacation is akin to pulling teeth. And when it comes to certain subjects, doing so is more like a root canal. Among the subjects that students typically find most difficult is multiplication. Fourth, fifth and sixth grade teachers often cite the multiplication tables as one of the biggest sources of struggle for their students.

One of the easiest ways to help a child excel in school, whether it’s mastering the multiplication tables or enhancing reading comprehension, is to make learning enjoyable. As we grow older, the teachers we seem to remember most are the ones who made the subject matter seem compelling, opened our eyes to new ways of understanding difficult topics, or those who used unconventional tools and strategies that made learning that much easier. With this in mind, there are several ways to give your student a boost by changing the way he or she looks at learning. Here are some tips from education experts:

•Set daily attainable goals. Like adults, kids respond better when they see results. If a student continues to work hard at school but doesn’t see immediate results, that student is more likely to throw in the towel on his studies. In addition, with more difficult topics such as the multiplication tables, it’s important for teachers to provide daily “check-ups” to make sure kids aren’t falling behind.

•Combine different methods that are educational and fun. Getting kids excited about their progress in the classroom can also be easier when teachers add a little fun into their lesson plans.

•Share your experiences with others. Because so many teachers find their students struggling with multiplication tables, it’s important for parents and teachers to share both their successes and their failures. If you’ve found workbooks to be effective with your students, by all means let your colleagues and parents of your students know. Parents should speak to a child’s teacher or administrators about exciting ways to spark interest in school or learning. Discuss with friends and fellow parents the ways in which they encourage their children to learn.