First of all, what are “math facts?” They are basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems that students can memorize as they would other facts (such as dates or names of people in history).
Many math curricula include drills and timed worksheets to help students store these facts away for use whenever they’re needed.
But don’t we care more about analytical skills than simple memorization? Well, maybe. But that’s not really the best question to ask. We don’t have to decide which of those two things we value more. Truly, both are tremendously important, and they work together. The mastery of math facts actually lays the foundation needed to do higher level math.
When your child is doing an algebra problem in middle school, he should have the freedom to think through the order of operations, the fractions, the decimals, the exponents, and all the other things without having to stop and work out with 7 x 6 is. Doing an algebra problem with math facts mastered is like running a race on a track. Doing it without the math facts in your tool belt is more like running the same distance on an obstacle course.
One vital thing to keep in mind is that, in helping your child memorize math facts, you are not only making higher level math accessible to her, but you’re also making the whole subject easier. When math facts have been learned, along with that fluency comes a reduction in frustration and the ability to enjoy problem solving more. (Don’t we all prefer working with fewer obstacles in our way?)
A good math curriculum (one that leads to future math success) should provide the building blocks for continued success in the subject.
In the early years, students should interact with the concepts of addition and subtraction with manipulatives, pictures, and stories. They can put groups together and take items away, using counting bears or, really, any objects you have around your house! Food items like grapes or chocolate chips can provide a fun way to practice addition and subtraction with preschoolers and kindergartners. Regular experience adding and taking away objects will soon solidify the concepts of addition and subtraction in a child’s mind.
With those concepts well established, your child can learn and memorize math facts over the next few years. He should start with the simplest problems, such as adding zero. He may review a whole set of flash cards or complete a worksheet (timed or not) with problems like 1+0= ___, 2+0= ___, and so on. Once he has mastered those, he’s ready to move onto adding one, then adding two, etc.
The same approach should be taken with subtraction and then multiplication and division, once those concepts are introduced and understood.
If you are a homeschooler, I highly recommend using a curriculum that has math fact practice built in. If your child is in school and her math curriculum does not emphasize memorizing math facts, you can definitely cover this at home! You’ll be equipping your child with resources that will smooth out the path ahead as she progresses on to more intricate math problems with multiple steps.
What is the best way to learn and practice math facts? Tried and true methods include flash cards and worksheets, and they really do accomplish the job.
There are ways to add fun to these basic learning tools. In our family, we enjoyed throwing in some random cards with the math flash cards. I made cards with stick people doing different things like jumping jacks and somersaults. When we got to those cards, my kids would do what the stick man did. It kept the flash card drills a little more lively.
With worksheets, a progress chart with stickers can be very motivating. Add in some celebrations when milestones are achieved, especially if those achievements required some perseverance.
For an easy spin on practicing the different groups, or families, of math facts, take the basic concept of flashcards and use it with sidewalk chalk, bingo cards, or white board competitions among siblings or friends. You can slip in extra elements like throwing items into a basket or sprinting to a certain spot to get the math problem read to add some physical activity and competition.
There are also some excellent electronic math fact resources. Website-based games like this one work well. And you’ll easily find a variety of math fact apps for phones or iPads. These have the advantage of being done independently. Your child can practice while you are busy with something else, which is a boon! We love to have independent activities among our mom tools!
Board games can be a fun way to practice math facts. Games like this one are good for older students who have been introduced to all the math facts and could benefit from practicing them.
One last thought – although drills and memorization are not as exciting as more active, critical-thinking-based, hands-on lessons, they really are a powerful workhorse. And, in addition to serving as a priceless resource as your child progresses in math, they also represent simple and straightforward skills with measurable progress you can acknowledge and celebrate. That is good for you and your child. Learning is often challenging! It’s helpful for your child to have something he can consistently conquer, put in his tool kit and carry with him into the next stage.
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