Learning times tables off by heart makes mental maths much easier. It will boost your child’s confidence in their maths lessons at school, but it’s also a skill they’ll use all the time in the world outside school.

Here, is some key information, pulled together by professionals, which is centred around how times tables are taught at primary school along with some activities to help make learning times tables fun for your child.

Why is it important for my child to know the times tables?

When children know their times tables, mental arithmetic becomes easier. Practising times tables also helps children to understand number and number relationships, and to see patterns in numbers. These skills will help them to master key concepts and move quickly through more complex maths problems with confidence.

A thorough knowledge of multiplication and division facts will help children succeed in their tests at the end of primary school and set them up for success at secondary school. As they grow older, knowing the times tables will help them with everyday activities like shopping, budgeting and cooking.

When does my child need to know their times tables?

• • Primary 3: be able to remember and use multiplication and division facts for the 2, 5 and 10 multiplication tables, including recognising odd and even numbers.
  • Primary 4: be able to remember and use multiplication and division facts for the 3, 4 and 8 multiplication tables, including recognising odd and even numbers. Revision of 2, 5 and 10 multiplication tables.
  • Primary 5: be able to remember and use multiplication and division facts for the multiplication tables up to 12 x 12.
  • Primary 6: revision of all multiplication and division facts for the multiplication tables up to 12 x 12.
  • Primary 7: revision of all multiplication and division facts for the multiplication tables up to 12 x 12.