Why Children Struggle With Multiplication Facts — and How Visual Learning Can Help
For many children, multiplication begins as a long list of facts that must somehow be memorized.
They may repeatedly practice:
6 × 7 = 42
7 × 8 = 56
8 × 9 = 72
Yet after all that repetition, some facts are still forgotten.
The problem is not always a lack of effort. Sometimes multiplication is presented as a collection of isolated facts, rather than as a system full of connections, patterns, and useful properties.
Multiplication Facts Are Connected
Consider:
4 × 7 = 28
and
7 × 4 = 28
These are not two completely different facts. They are connected through the Commutative Property of Multiplication.
When children recognize relationships like this, they can avoid treating every multiplication sentence as something completely new.
Color and Visual Patterns Can Make Connections Easier to See
A visual learning approach can help children notice:
- Which facts belong to the same multiplication table.
- Which facts produce the same answer.
- How one multiplication fact relates to another.
- Which facts they already understand.
- Which facts need more practice.
My Multiplication Board uses color coding for specific learning purposes.
Each multiplication table has an identifying starting color. Children can follow that color through earlier tables to explore related multiplication facts.
Matching colored squares highlight different multiplication sentences that share the same product, while highlighted rectangles draw attention to selected facts for focused exploration and practice.
Instead of simply reading rows of numbers, the child has something to follow, compare, recognize, and think about.
Visual Familiarity Beyond Study Sessions
Multiplication learning does not have to be limited to dedicated study sessions.
When displayed in a child's bedroom or study area, My Multiplication Board can provide opportunities for continued visual exposure.
Over time, seeing the Board may help children become more familiar with its arrangement, colors, and multiplication facts.
However, visual familiarity is only one part of the learning process. It works alongside active exploration, understanding, and purposeful practice.
The aim is not simply to look at multiplication facts repeatedly, but to gradually become more familiar with them while developing the ability to recognize relationships and recall answers independently.
Focus on the Difficult Facts
Children often know some multiplication facts very well while struggling repeatedly with a smaller group.
Rather than practicing everything equally, it can be more useful to identify those difficult facts and give them more attention.
For example, a child may easily remember:
5 × 6 = 30
but continue hesitating with:
6 × 7 = 42
The goal is therefore not only repetition. It is also focused, purposeful practice.
Properties and Tricks Can Help Too
Understanding multiplication properties can give children additional ways to calculate.
For example:
12 × 7 = (10 × 7) + (2 × 7) = 70 + 14 = 84
Instead of seeing 12 × 7 as an unfamiliar fact, the child can break it into two easier calculations using the Distributive Property.
The companion Multiplication Properties & Tricks poster introduces mathematical properties and useful techniques for the 1, 10, 11, and 12 times tables, along with the 9s finger trick.
These techniques provide children with practical ways to calculate answers they do not yet remember.
From Understanding to Remembering
Memorization still has an important place in multiplication.
But learning multiplication can become more meaningful when a child can also see why facts are connected and how answers can be worked out.
A useful learning approach can bring together:
VISUAL FAMILIARITY → EXPLORATION & CONNECTIONS → UNDERSTANDING → PURPOSEFUL PRACTICE → STRONGER RECALL
Children can also practice recalling answers without looking at the Board, checking their responses and revisiting difficult facts later.
This helps distinguish recognizing an answer on a poster from remembering it independently.
Discover My Multiplication Board
My Multiplication Board is a printable and digitally viewable learning system developed by Minhow.
It brings together two complementary learning posters and a step-by-step guide:
My Multiplication Board: Organizes multiplication facts from 2 through 9 using color coding and visual connections.
Multiplication Properties & Tricks: Introduces mathematical properties and calculation techniques that extend learning through table 12.
How It Works Guide: Explains how to use the learning system.
Together, these resources support learning multiplication facts from 1 through 12.
The goal is to help children explore mathematical connections, build understanding, practice with purpose, and develop stronger recall.
The Goal Is Remembering. The Journey Is Understanding.
A smart approach to learning multiplication.
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