Times tables for kids: how to help your child learn tables 2 to 10

Tables are easier to remember once a child understands what × means: 3 × 4 is 3 groups of 4, or 4 + 4 + 4 = 12.

In NCERT-based Maths, Class 2 children skip count and meet the tables of 2, 5 and 10 through equal groups. Class 3 children use arrays and learn the tables up to 10. Class 4 children use the tables to multiply bigger numbers and to multiply by 10 and 100.

Class 2: Equal Groups and Skip Counting

Count in 2s, 5s and 10s, and learn that times means equal groups.

Skip Counting by 2s, 5s and 10s: Children learn to count objects in equal groups by skip counting in 2s, 5s and 10s. They see the pattern on a number line and with real objects like pairs of shoes, fingers, and bundles of sticks.
Equal Groups and Repeated Addition: Children see that equal groups can be added repeatedly. They write repeated addition sentences and understand that this is the same as multiplication.
Multiplication Sign and Tables of 2, 5, 10: Children learn to read and write multiplication sentences using × and build the tables of 2, 5 and 10 through skip counting and repeated addition.
Word Problems with Equal Groups: Children apply skip counting and multiplication to simple word problems from daily life, such as counting legs, wheels, or items in packs.

🔢 Equal Groups and Skip Counting (Class 2 Maths)

Class 3: Multiplication

Make equal groups, learn tables 2 to 10, and multiply two-digit numbers by one digit.

Equal groups and repeated addition: Recognise equal groups in pictures, write them as repeated addition, then as a multiplication sentence with ×.
Arrays and turning them around: Arrange objects in rows and columns, read an array both ways (rows × columns and columns × rows) and see that the product stays the same.
Tables of 2, 5 and 10: Build the tables of 2, 5 and 10 by skip counting and arrays, spot their patterns (evens; ending in 0 or 5; ending in 0) and practise quick recall up to ×10.
Tables of 3 and 4, then 6 to 9: Build the full tables of 3 and 4 with arrays. Then find a few facts from the tables of 6, 7, 8 and 9 by doubling a known table or adding one more group; the full tables of 6 to 9 are not taught here. Products stay at or below 100.

✖️ Multiplication (Class 3 Maths)

Class 4: Multiplication

Learn times tables, multiply bigger numbers, and solve fun word problems with multiplication.

Tables up to 10: Recall multiplication facts up to 10 × 10 using skip counting, arrays, and patterns.
Multiply by 10 and 100: Multiply any number by 10 and 100 by placing zeros at the end.

✖️ Multiplication (Class 4 Maths)

How to practise at home

Learn the tables in an easy order: 2, 10 and 5 first, then 3 and 4, then 6 to 9.
Use the turn-around fact: 4 × 3 = 3 × 4, so there are fewer facts to learn than it seems.
Build a hard fact from one you know: 7 × 7 = 6 × 7 + 7 = 42 + 7 = 49.
Ask facts out of order for two minutes a day (“What is 6 × 4?”) instead of always reciting from the start.
Use real groups: 4 plates with 3 laddoos each, or rows of eggs in a tray.

Common mistakes to watch for

Skip counting by 5s: children say 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100: Start at 5 and add 5 each time. Use fingers: each hand has 5 fingers.
Children think 3×2 means 3+2, not 2+2+2.: Show 3 groups of 2. Write 2+2+2. Then say '3 times 2' means 3 groups of 2.
3 × 4 means 3 + 4.: 3 × 4 is 3 groups of 4: 4 + 4 + 4. Count the laddoos: 12, not 7.
3 × 4 and 4 × 3 are different sums with different answers.: Turn the tray. Same eggs, same total: 12 either way.
Multiplication always makes numbers bigger.: Show that 1 × 5 = 5 (same) and 0 × 5 = 0 (smaller).
Multiplying by 10 adds a zero to the left of the number.: The zero goes at the end. 45 × 10 = 450, not 045.

Try this at home

Class 2: Count the pairs of shoes: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
Class 2: Picture of 4 groups of 3 stars → 3+3+3+3 = 12
Class 3: 3 plates × 4 laddoos → 4 + 4 + 4 = 12 → 3 × 4 = 12
Class 3: 3 rows of 4 eggs → 3 × 4 = 12; turn tray → 4 × 3 = 12
Class 4: Skip count in 7s to find 6 × 7: 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42
Class 4: 45 × 10 = 450

Quick questions to ask aloud

Let your child answer before you open the answer.

Count the shoes in pairs: 👟👟 👟👟 👟👟. How many shoes are there? (6 / 3 / 5)
Show answer
There are 3 pairs. Each pair has 2 shoes. Count by 2s: 2, 4, 6. So 6 shoes.
There are 3 plates. Each plate has 4 laddoos. Which sentence matches this story? (3 × 4 = 12 / 3 + 4 = 7 / 4 × 4 = 16)
Show answer
3 groups of 4 is 4 + 4 + 4 = 12. We write it as 3 × 4 = 12.
What is 7 × 8? (56 / 54 / 48 / 64)
Show answer
7 × 8 means 7 groups of 8. Skip count: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56. So the product is 56.

More help

Frequently asked questions

Which multiplication tables should my child learn first?

Start with 2, 10 and 5, which follow skip counting. Then learn 3 and 4, and finally 6, 7, 8 and 9, using facts already known (for example, the 4s table is double the 2s table).

How can my child remember tables?

Understand first (equal groups and arrays), use the turn-around fact, build new facts from known ones, and practise a few facts out of order every day.

In which class do children learn multiplication tables?

Class 2: Equal Groups and Skip Counting; Class 3: Multiplication; Class 4: Multiplication. Each of these units is free on MangoMindz.

Is there a free app to practise multiplication tables?

Yes. MangoMindz is free and has no ads. Every unit listed here (Classes 2–4) has picture lessons read aloud, quick checks and a quiz, and parents can follow progress on a PIN-protected dashboard. No credit card is needed.

Practise free on MangoMindz