If you've ever tried to learn a language, you'll know how difficult it can be to learn the vocabulary. It's also really difficult to remember the vocabulary once you've learnt it! But why is this? Well, it's usually because we stop using it! The human brain remembers things much more easily if it's using them regularly. If we try to remember things that we don't use, the brain struggles to retain them. The PIN number on your bank card that you use every day is easy to remember because you use it so often! But what about the password for that online store you haven't logged into for a while? Its harder to remember if you haven't used it for a while.
It's exactly like that with times tables. This is a key topic in the maths lessons we take in primary school, and is fundamental in progressing further in mathematics. However, if we don´t use them daily in life, we tend to forget them.
In order to get to a point where you can just remember your times tables instantly and easily, you have to have given your brain a reason to remember them. And that comes by using them regularly.
Thankfully, smart phones provide us with endless opportunities to learn maths and practise our maths skills.
There are hundreds of apps - many downloadable for free - that your children can use to learn and practise within the many spare moments they may have in your day. These apps often include features like games or interactive quizzes so that your child can learn while playing, therefore making their experience of learning maths more enjoyable.
Below are some suggestions on the apps you can download to help your children learn and practise the times tables:
Big journeys start with small steps; so why not make a pledge to yourself now to use those little spare moments with your child productively - you'll find that in no time your child will start remembering your times tables. And if they keep up the practice, eventually you'll find that those times tables have a permanent home in their brains, which will make their future maths learning much, much easier!
If you find you or your child needs further assistance in learning maths, it may be a good idea to find a private tutor for maths lessons. You can search for in-person or online maths tutors using the FindTutors platform today.
Good luck!