5 Times Table Practice Mistakes (and What to Do Instead)
By the Duck Math team ·
Times tables are practised everywhere, yet many children still struggle. These five habits are common, and each has an easy fix.
Part of our complete guide.
1. Only practising in order
Reciting 1×7, 2×7, 3×7 builds rhythm but not recall. Fix: mix the order, as in Mixed rounds of Times Tables Duck Race.
2. Practising too long
A 30-minute session tires attention. Fix: ten focused minutes a day.
3. No feedback on mistakes
A wrong answer that is never corrected can be learned. Fix: show the right fact, cover it, and ask again a minute later.
4. Skipping the easy tables
Starting at 6, 7 and 8 is discouraging. Fix: learn 2, 5, 10, then 3, 4, 9, 11, and leave 6, 7, 8 for last.
5. Never reviewing old tables
Facts fade without use. Fix: add five questions from older tables to every session.