Introducing Multiplication

Using these examples, children can more meaningfully develop the idea of multiplication.



Give further experience using arrays of objects. An array is a systematic arrangement of objects, which has equal number of objects in each row as well as column. How counting using arrays reflects the advantage of using multiplication, can be seen in the figure to your left-hand side. Another advantage of using arrays for teaching multiplication is that the children can observe patterns in different multiplications easily. For example, child can compare total objects in three rows, each of four objects (that is 3 x 4) and in four rows, each of four objects (that is 4 x 4).

This activity not only enhances their understanding of the concept of multiplication but also helps them to remember the related facts easily. The special array of squared tiles helps understand the idea of area later.

We should also teach the same multiplication facts by using the number-line, as shown in the figure below. In this figure, representation of two times on the number-line is shown. This helps children to understand the role of multiplication in the measurement activities.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic