Dear Parents and Carers,

As the school year progresses, I want to highlight the crucial role that mastering times tables plays in your child's education. Times tables are more than just a set of facts to memorise; they are foundational building blocks that support a wide range of mathematical and cognitive skills.

Why Times Tables Matter:

1. Maths Proficiency: Knowing times tables fluently enhances your child's ability to tackle more complex mathematical concepts with ease. Multiplication is a key component in topics like division, fractions, and algebra.
2. Problem-Solving Skills: Quick recall of multiplication facts allows your child to focus on problem-solving strategies rather than getting bogged down by basic calculations.
3. Confidence Boost: Mastery of times tables can significantly boost your child's confidence in maths, leading to greater participation and engagement in class.
4. Real-Life Applications: Times tables are used in everyday situations, from calculating costs while shopping to measuring ingredients for a recipe.

Supporting Your Child:

• Practice Regularly: Encourage your child to practise times tables daily through fun activities, games, and apps designed to make learning engaging.
• Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate their progress and provide positive feedback to keep them motivated.
• Integrate Learning: Incorporate multiplication into daily routines, such as counting items or playing number-based games.

Games are a fun and effective way for children to develop multiplication facts at home:

• Multiplication Bingo uses a bingo card with multiplication problems; children mark the answers. 
• Flash Card Races challenge kids to quickly answer multiplication flash cards, fostering speed and accuracy. 
• Times Table Hopscotch combines physical activity with learning, where children jump on squares labelled with multiplication problems. 
• Online Games and Apps like Times Tables Rock Stars and Math Blaster make learning interactive and engaging. 
• Board Games like Multiplication War, where players use a deck of cards to practise multiplying numbers, add a competitive and educational twist to family game night!

By reinforcing the importance of times tables, we can help our children build a strong mathematical foundation that will benefit them in all areas of learning. 

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child's education.

Nerissa McCartney

Leader of Teaching & Learning