Why Does Your Child Struggle With Multiplication Facts (And What Actually Works)

Why Are Multiplication Facts So Hard to Remember?

Multiplication can be difficult for many students—and not because they aren’t trying hard enough.

In my experience tutoring students in grades 4–8, I’ve found that memorization doesn’t come easily to every learner. Traditional methods like drills and flashcards can work for some students, but for many, they lead to frustration instead of progress.

I can relate to this personally. I struggled with math as a student, and I didn’t fully memorize my multiplication tables until I was an adult. Even now, I sometimes rely on skip counting to work through problems.

That experience is what led me to a simple belief:

Every student can learn math when they are given the right tools.

Do Flashcards and Drills Actually Work?

For some students, yes.

• Repetition

• Flashcards

• Timed drills

These methods can be effective—but only for certain types of learners.

Many of the students I work with struggle using this approach alone. When learning feels repetitive or stressful, students often become discouraged instead of building confidence.

That’s why I take a more flexible, student-centered approach.

A Better Way: Use Music to Teach Skip Counting

One of the most effective strategies I use is teaching skip counting through music.

Music helps students:

• Remember patterns more easily

• Stay engaged

• Build memory through rhythm

How to Use This at Home:

• Choose a familiar tune like:

  • “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” (skip counting 4's)

  • “Brother John” (skip counting 3's)

• Assign one number to one song

• Stay consistent with that same tune

There are also many skip counting songs available online. The key is consistency—once you choose a song for a number, stick with it.

Turn Practice Into a Game

Another powerful way to help students is by making multiplication fun through games.

Multiplication Card Game:

• Remove face cards from a standard deck

• Split the deck between two players

• Each player flips over a card

• Multiply the two numbers

• The correct answer wins the pair

The player with the most cards at the end wins.

This type of game:

• Builds engagement

• Encourages friendly competition

• Reinforces math skills without pressure

Bonus: This game also works for practicing addition and subtraction.

Teach the “Switch Trick” (Understanding Over Memorization)

One of the most important skills I teach students is number flexibility.

For example:

• If a student doesn’t know 8 × 4

• But they know 4 × 8

• They can switch the order and still solve the problem

This builds:

• Confidence

• Problem-solving skills

• A deeper understanding of how numbers work

Case Study: Building Multiplication Confidence (Jon’s Story)

One of my students (we’ll call him Jon) came to me struggling with his multiplication facts.

At the start, he could barely recall his 2’s and relied heavily on a multiplication table just to complete his homework.

Instead of removing that support, I treated it as a helpful tool and built from there.

Over time, we worked on:

• Skip counting songs to improve memory

• Number relationships to build understanding

• Strategies that supported how he learns best

A year later, something powerful had changed.

Jon no longer needed his multiplication table.

He still occasionally uses his fingers or sings through facts—but his recall is becoming more automatic with every session.

This is the goal: not perfection, but progress, confidence, and independence.

The Truth: There Is No One-Size-Fits-All Method

Every student learns differently.

• Some thrive with repetition

• Some need music

• Some learn best through games

• Some need visual or hands-on strategies

That’s why I continually adapt my teaching to fit each student’s needs.

My goal is not just to help students memorize facts—but to help them feel confident, capable, and successful in math.

When to Get Extra Help

If your child is:

• Struggling to remember multiplication facts

• Avoiding math practice

• Feeling frustrated or discouraged

It may be time for additional support.

About the Author

I’m a math tutor who understands firsthand what it feels like to struggle with math.

As a student, I had difficulty learning math concepts, which is why I’m passionate about helping students today build confidence and success—starting with the basics like multiplication.

Because of that experience, my mission is simple:

To make math accessible to as many children as possible.

I specialize in working with students in grades 4–8, including those who learn differently or need a more personalized approach. I’ve worked with students who struggle with traditional methods and need alternative strategies to truly understand and retain math concepts.

My teaching philosophy is rooted in one belief:

Every student can learn when they are given the right tools and support.

I currently tutor students online, allowing me to support families around the world.

Ready to Help Your Child Succeed?

If your child is struggling with multiplication facts—or math in general—there is a better

way to learn.

I offer a free consultation where we can:

• Talk about your child’s current challenges

• Identify their learning style

• Explore strategies that work for them

• Create a plan to build confidence and success in math

👉 Schedule your free consultation today and let’s find the right approach for your child.