What Is Multiplication?

Alright, friends, this is a big one - and I promise it is not as scary as it sounds. Multiplication is simply a quick way to add equal groups. That is it! If you can add, you can multiply.

Think about it this way. If you have 4 plates and you put 3 crackers on each plate, you could count every single cracker: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Or you could add: 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12. Or you could use multiplication: 4 x 3 = 12. Four groups of three equals twelve. Same answer, faster path.

Equal Groups with Real Objects

Grab some small objects - crackers, buttons, LEGO bricks, coins, whatever you have handy - and some paper plates or small bowls.

Activity 1: Build the Groups

I will give you a multiplication problem, and you build it!

• 3 groups of 2: Put 3 plates on the table. Put 2 objects on each plate. How many total? Count them: 6! So 3 x 2 = 6.
• 2 groups of 5: Put 2 plates on the table. Put 5 objects on each plate. How many total? 10! So 2 x 5 = 10.
• 4 groups of 3: Put 4 plates on the table. Put 3 objects on each plate. How many total? 12! So 4 x 3 = 12.

The key word is EQUAL. Every group has to have the same number. That is what makes it multiplication instead of just addition.

Activity 2: Read My Groups

You build a set of groups and ask your child to figure out the multiplication sentence.

Put down 5 plates with 2 objects each. Ask: "How many groups? How many in each group? Can you write the multiplication sentence?" They should write 5 x 2 = 10.

Arrays: Another Way to See Multiplication

An array is a rectangle made of rows and columns. Think of a muffin tin, an egg carton, or a marching band. Arrays are another way to show equal groups.

Make an array with objects:

Line up 3 rows of 4 objects:

O O O O O O O O O O O O

That is 3 rows of 4. The multiplication sentence is 3 x 4 = 12.

Now look at it the other way: 4 columns of 3. That is 4 x 3 = 12. Same array, same total, but written differently! This shows your child that 3 x 4 and 4 x 3 give the same answer (this is called the commutative property, but you do not need to use that word yet).

Array hunt: Look for arrays in real life! - Windows on a building (2 rows of 3 windows = 2 x 3 = 6) - Eggs in a carton (2 rows of 6 = 2 x 6 = 12) - Muffin tin (2 rows of 6 or 3 rows of 4) - Tiles on the floor - Buttons on a shirt

Writing Multiplication Sentences

A multiplication sentence has three parts: - The first number tells you HOW MANY GROUPS - The "x" sign means "groups of" - The second number tells you HOW MANY IN EACH GROUP - The "=" sign and the answer tell you THE TOTAL

Practice writing these: 1. 2 groups of 6 = 2 x 6 = 12 2. 5 groups of 3 = 5 x 3 = 15 3. 3 groups of 3 = 3 x 3 = 9 4. 4 groups of 5 = 4 x 5 = 20

Draw It

Have your child draw equal groups for each of these problems: - 3 x 2 (draw 3 circles with 2 dots in each) - 2 x 4 (draw 2 circles with 4 dots in each) - 4 x 4 (draw 4 circles with 4 dots in each)

Drawing is a powerful tool because it makes the abstract concrete.

Tips for Parents

Multiplication is a concept that takes time to build. Do not jump to memorizing times tables before your child understands what multiplication means. The equal groups and arrays give them a mental model they can always fall back on. When they truly understand that 6 x 4 means six groups of four, the memorization will come naturally.