Multiplication Strategies to Learn Facts

My son has easily memorized the 2's, 3's and 5's in multiplication. The others are coming along very slowly. Are there any tricks to make learning these facts easier? - Multiplication Problems
Answer: Rote memorization of the facts works for some children. Such memorizing is more fun if children sing or chant the facts. There are a number of commercially produced tapes, CDs and DVDs available that teach multiplication facts. Check out the children's section at your local music store, or go online to search for them.
Because memorization depends on repetition, you might want to write the facts for a number on the refrigerator or bulletin board in the kitchen. Have your son say the facts before and after every meal until the child feels confident that he knows them, then take away the answers and have him repeat the facts for several days before introducing a new set of facts.
Superior to having your son rely on rote memorization to learn the multiplication facts is teaching him strategies that will enable him to figure out the answers. Begin by using the flash cards 1 x 1 through 6 x 6. Shuffle the cards and have him select the top one. If he knows the answer, he goes to the next card. If he doesn't, have him use this strategy:
1. The child writes the problem (4 x 3).
2. The child then draws four horizontal lines.
3. Next, the child draws three vertical lines through the horizontal lines.
4. The child counts the number of intersections to get the answer (12).
The advantage of this strategy is that your son is finding the answer through his own activity. And if the child forgets a fact, he can quickly draw lines to find the answer. To further cement the facts in his mind, your son can make up a song to a familiar tune. For example, instead of singing "E I E I O" as the chorus of "Old McDonald Had a Farm," he could sing "four times three is 12."
Multiplying the numbers 2 through 5 by 6 through 9 can be made easier by breaking up a fact into two easier facts. Here is an example of using the strategy for 3 x 7:
1. Write the problem 3 x 7.
2. Break the 7 into two pieces, 3 and 4.
3. Each piece is multiplied by 3; (3 x 3 = 9) and (3 x 4 = 12).
4. The products are then added together to get the answer 21.
For the 9's, your son can use this strategy:
1. Write the problem with the 9 as the second factor (6 x 9).
2. The first digit of a 9's product is one less than the multiplier; for 6 x 9 that would be 5.
3. Since the sum of the digits in a 9's product always adds up to 9, the second digit will be 4. Thus 6 x 9 = 54.
Eventually, your son will tire of using strategies and learn the facts. Then he can solidify them by playing multiplication games.