Mastering Multiplication with the Doubling Strategy: A Guide for Young Learners

Mathematics can be a fun and exciting journey for young minds, especially when they encounter concepts that resonate with skills they already have! One such concept is the doubling strategy. This strategy is an important mathematical skill and lays a strong foundation for understanding more complex mathematical concepts.

The Basics of the Doubling Strategy for Multiplication

Doubling is a fundamental concept that children often learn in their early years. It involves adding two identical numbers (e.g., 2 + 2 or 3 + 3). This concept can be beautifully extended to understanding multiplication, mainly when dealing with multiples of 2, 4, and 8.

Using Visual Aids from ORIGO Education

Visual aids, like picture cards found in The Book and Box of Fact Strategies: Multiplication and Division, can be incredibly effective in teaching multiplication. For instance, a card showing an array with two equal rows helps connect the multiplication symbol to a visual representation. This method is not only engaging but also helps in visualizing and internalizing the concept.

Seeing Related Facts

An array model is beneficial as it displays related multiplication facts in one picture. For example, if we have an array of 2 rows with 3 items each, it’s easy to see that 3 multiplied by 2 is 6. This visual approach simplifies understanding and helps in retaining the multiplication facts.

Extending to Multiples of Four and Eight

The doubling strategy can be extended beyond multiplying by two. For example, to multiply six by four, you can think of it as double six (which is 12), and then double 12, leading to 24. Similarly, to multiply six by eight, you double six to get 12, double 12 to get 24, and then double 24 to get 48. This method shows how doubling can be a powerful tool for multiplication.

The doubling strategy is more than just a calculation method; it’s a thinking strategy that empowers young learners to tackle multiplication with confidence and ease. Students can develop a solid and intuitive understanding of numbers by starting with the concept of doubles in addition and extending it to multiplication.

We encourage parents and educators to use this strategy as a steppingstone for young mathematicians. By making math fun and understandable, we pave the way for a lifetime of mathematical exploration and enjoyment!