We tried numerous approaches. We tested lots of educational games and toys. The hard truth is…it’s not easy to learn times tables for kids. Especially for kids on the spectrum. Why?

Kids with autism have short term memory problem. They have a serious difficulty to remember things like to answer a question of what was for lunch 10 minutes ago or repeat a sequence of numbers, a phone number, etc.

Time tables seem to be a tough nut to crack. It’s all about memory and nothing about calculation after all. We all learned it at school. Who faster who slower. It actually doesn’t matter. But the ideas behind how to motivate an angry student to know his freaking 5 times table because it will help in the future the humanity to JUST KNOW IT?

Well, as I try to explain to you since 2016 – MOTIVATION is the KEY.

How we did it?

1. Use your LEGOs – easy and smart way to start and approach smoothly this subject. Turning something into an educational resource (like LEGO blocks in our case) that makes you feel comfy while engaged in a funny activity, might be a perfect match. Play and do your math. The visual style of teaching gives us the best results. We picked all same color and size blocks just to avoid unwanted distractions and loss of focus. Find something else you could use to teach your child how ones and tens work. After you can start with putting in groups.
2. Smart educational toys – some kind of toy they love to play with transformed into a learning device. Preferably with a visual presentation. We chose the wooden multiplications table. We really hit the jackpot with that one. Wooden blocks and math! Build and learn! There are other educational toys you could try or just find out by yourself what else would be motivating enough for your little math expert.
3. MathsChase – a learning platform that allows you to exercise your times’ tables in a funny and gaming style.  A simple game modus that invites kids to try the challenge and exercise their skills and became faster and faster. Really easy and clear. Choose your character (there is also Super Mario!) and level (from the slowest one up).
4. Find-your-PIN game – this is an activity we found very helpful and extremely enjoyable. The reason to do the math is highly motivated by the final reward. Find the PIN code for your beloved device seems to be the TOP! Do you want to play with your Nintendo Switch? There is a pin code that needs to be found. Anytime you want! We love parental control!
5. Just do the repetition action – not so extra innovative and hugely entertaining but sometimes going in a loop makes things easier especially when it takes memory. Pick one time table a day and go with it. Today is Friday? We take 4-time tables and exercise those. Tomorrow we will take another one. Make it random and without pressure. You can also sing a song about it. A rap version of multiplication tables is an awesome idea!
6. Books and activity sheets – there are different positions that are very interesting because on the subject of a kids’ beloved game, movie or toy. Multiplication with Harry Potter or Minecraft characters sounds like great fun!