4 Times Table Ladybird Game
By
Number Chase
Here’s how to support your child to remember the four times tables with understanding and fun and without fear.
Play the 4 times tables ladybird game, and by encouraging your child to handle counters and talk about the numbers you will be really helping them to develop powerful visual images and discover patterns. This will then make it much easier for your child to remember the 4 times table facts.
Print or make 'ladybird 4 times tables game cards' and ‘4 to 40 spinner’. You will also need about eighty counters: 1p coins, buttons, small pebbles…
Collect counters to place on the ladybird spots
☺Take turns.
☺Spin a number and collect that number of counters.
☺For each set of four counters collect a ladybird card and cover the spots with your counters.
☺Race to collect ten ladybird cards.
Pass it on On your turn, talk about four times tables facts. For example say, “sixteen, that’s four times four, I will need four ladybird cards”. Look at three ladybird picture cards, point and say, “three lots of four is double three lots of two.”
Play another day using ‘4 to 9 dice’
☺save any extra counters to use on your next turn.
Pass it on Ask for example “you have two extra counters already, how many more ladybird cards will you get if you throw a nine?”
Play another day. Make some game cards showing something meaningful to your child, e.g. cars with four wheels.
Pass it on Ask “what is the least number of throws I’ll need to win”
Play another day. Make some game cards showing something meaningful to your child e.g. ice cream sundaes with three scoops.
Pass it on Ask “What is the least number of throws I’ll need to win”
Play another day
Collect 10 cards (ladybird or your version) and place a small treat e.g. raisin, cereal hoop, chocolate button, on each spot/circle. You will also need the 4 to40 spinner.
Spin a number which matches the number of treats to collect one ladybird card and eat four treats.
☺Take turns to spin.
☺If your score matches the number of treats left, collect one ladybird card and eat four treats!
☺Repeat until there are no treats left.
Pass it on On your turn talk about the number you are hoping to spin. For example say “ I hope I spin twenty, five lots of four is twenty.”
Note: your child can make lots of mistakes in the context of these games. This is a normal part of learning - don’t worry, reassure and be reassured - mistakes help you to learn.
Because research has shown that times tables tests and time pressure can be the start of a child’s maths anxiety, it’s a really good idea to encourage your child to play this type of game handling real objects, building up visual images and confidence, before trying online tables games.
Play the 4 times tables ladybird game, and by encouraging your child to handle counters and talk about the numbers you will be really helping them to develop powerful visual images and discover patterns. This will then make it much easier for your child to remember the 4 times table facts.
Print or make 'ladybird 4 times tables game cards' and ‘4 to 40 spinner’. You will also need about eighty counters: 1p coins, buttons, small pebbles…
Collect counters to place on the ladybird spots
☺Take turns.
☺Spin a number and collect that number of counters.
☺For each set of four counters collect a ladybird card and cover the spots with your counters.
☺Race to collect ten ladybird cards.
Pass it on On your turn, talk about four times tables facts. For example say, “sixteen, that’s four times four, I will need four ladybird cards”. Look at three ladybird picture cards, point and say, “three lots of four is double three lots of two.”
Play another day using ‘4 to 9 dice’
☺save any extra counters to use on your next turn.
Pass it on Ask for example “you have two extra counters already, how many more ladybird cards will you get if you throw a nine?”
Play another day. Make some game cards showing something meaningful to your child, e.g. cars with four wheels.
Pass it on Ask “what is the least number of throws I’ll need to win”
Play another day. Make some game cards showing something meaningful to your child e.g. ice cream sundaes with three scoops.
Pass it on Ask “What is the least number of throws I’ll need to win”
Play another day
Collect 10 cards (ladybird or your version) and place a small treat e.g. raisin, cereal hoop, chocolate button, on each spot/circle. You will also need the 4 to40 spinner.
Spin a number which matches the number of treats to collect one ladybird card and eat four treats.
☺Take turns to spin.
☺If your score matches the number of treats left, collect one ladybird card and eat four treats!
☺Repeat until there are no treats left.
Pass it on On your turn talk about the number you are hoping to spin. For example say “ I hope I spin twenty, five lots of four is twenty.”
Note: your child can make lots of mistakes in the context of these games. This is a normal part of learning - don’t worry, reassure and be reassured - mistakes help you to learn.
Because research has shown that times tables tests and time pressure can be the start of a child’s maths anxiety, it’s a really good idea to encourage your child to play this type of game handling real objects, building up visual images and confidence, before trying online tables games.
Save
Share
Tweet
