Those dreaded multiplication facts

Yes, it's necessary to know multiplication facts. Some children memorize them immediately, but then others struggle and never really master them. This
hurts them multiplying with one or more factors, and
makes division extremely difficult.
Some children can learn to count by 2,3,4,etc. quickly.

Then they can use fingers as they count just enough to get
them to the number they need. I am not talking about trying to count 5 x 6 on your fingers. Some do this and get confused and frustrated and are wrong most of the time. For example, 3 x 3, they would use 3 fingers and say 3,6,9 and have their answer.

Explore the multiplication chart with them. Have them color the odd numbers one color and the even another. This is good practice in odd and even numbers.

Then study the chart. The rules for multiplication will pop out and it becomes exciting. When you multiply even numbers x even numbers, the answer is even. Even x odd will give an even number. Odd x odd will give an odd number. This information helped some of my students to know they were wrong if the answer should be odd and was not, etc.

In SC we start multiplication in the third grade. I don't know about other states. Before the grade you child starts, work with them counting by each number. Get a good rhythm going with each number set for fun.

You can get a copy of the above chart and others at About.com:Homeschooling.
www.gtcocalcomp.com/erc/interwritebackgrounds... Another chart through 12.