Introduction to Multiplication Games for 3rd Graders

Are you dreading teaching your kids multiplication? You can use fun and interactive games such as the ones on our platform while introducing kids to multiplication. They will learn what multiplication is by understanding the basic concept behind it. The educational games help kids understand that multiplication is the repeated addition of the same number. These games will keep them engaged and turn multiplication into their friend.

The Importance of Learning Multiplication

The multiplication of two numbers is the repeated addition of one number with itself by the number of times given by the second number. Multiplication is one of the math skills that become the stepping stones for various topics in the future. Without a strong foundation in multiplication, kids might have difficulty understanding those topics.

While it is true that a calculator can give the answers in a second, multiplication is something so basic that whipping out a calculator every single time you need an answer can become annoying.

Learning multiplication also improves the kids' number sense and builds their confidence when dealing with numbers.

Make Multiplication Fun

Online educational games that are interactive are the best way to introduce kids to multiplication. These games communicate the concept and slowly build up to teach kids how to multiply the numbers themselves. 

Journey 

This game features a traveler who can only move forward when you identify the number of groups of various objects on the screen. It might show x groups of 2 trees or y groups of 3 cactuses. It is a great way to visually represent and understand multiplication.

Use Repeated Addition

These educational games present arrays of equal sizes and teach the kids that the result of adding up all the objects on screen is the underlying product of multiplication.

Wilda's Wonders

Multiplication is repeatedly adding the same number with itself. In this interactive game, you get to help Wilda the Witch make a potion by adding a number to the potion a fixed number of times. 

Sky Lands

Sky Lands is one of the best games to understand the pattern of the multiplication table. Kids have to help the character cross a valley by jumping on the correctly labeled rock. They have to follow the multiplication table of the number given to get to the other side.

Multiply Using Models and Charts

The final step in introducing multiplication to kids is to introduce models followed by charts. The models show the multiplication expression followed by one that uses objects to represent the expression.

The chart is a table that lists all the values of multiplying two numbers, and looking up the correct row and column will get you the answer.

Common Struggles in Multiplication

Teaching kids multiplication is an exercise that is often fraught with fights and tears. The traditional way of teaching this concept involves rote learning the various tables. While many kids do learn this way, they do not understand why 3x4 = 12, as they have merely memorized it.

The process thus turns multiplication into their enemy. Since a vast majority of the topics they will learn in the future involve multiplication, these concepts become difficult for them, and they could start hating math. The tables are also boring to learn by heart, and they make the learning process very mechanical.

As a parent, you might feel helpless as you watch your kids struggle. However, they don't have to learn math the traditional way. With exciting and fun online games from SplashLearn, you can take away the struggle and make multiplication fun for your kids in third grade.