NCERT Joyful Mathematics, Class 1, textbook pages 111–114

How to teach Class 1 Maths Chapter 11, How Many Times?, at home

Equal groups (first multiplication), taught with things you already have at home: a 10-minute activity, a game for the week, a 5-day plan and the mistakes to watch for.

3 plates of 2 = 6

NCERT Class 1 Maths Chapter 11 How Many Times?: what it teaches

Multiplication starts as adding the same number again. Three plates with 2 laddoos each is 2 + 2 + 2, or “3 times 2”. The groups must be equal; that is the whole idea.

Why it matters later. This is the first step to times tables. A child who understands “3 times 2” as three equal groups of 2 learns tables with meaning instead of by rote in Class 2 and 3.

See it: this chapter in pictures

2 + 2 + 2 = 63 plates of 2 is 3 times 2
Equal groups are the heart of “times”.
4 rows of 5= 20
Rows of dots show groups at a glance and prepare for tables.
3, 1, 2: not equalso this is not a “times” question
If the groups are not equal, you cannot say times.

You need

  • small plates or katoris
  • 20 peanuts or raisins
  • chappals by the door

Tonight’s 10 minutes

  1. Put 2 peanuts on each of 3 plates. Count them. Say “3 plates of 2 is 6. 3 times 2 is 6.”
  2. Change it: 4 plates of 5. Count in fives on fingers.
  3. Make the plates unequal on purpose and ask “Can we say times here?” (No, the groups are not equal.)
  4. Count chappals by the door in twos.

Words to use

  • groups of
  • equal
  • times
  • same number each

Watch for

  • Answering with the number of plates. Ask two questions: “How many plates? How many peanuts altogether?”

What it sounds like at home

A short example of the conversation. Your words will differ; the questions are what matter.

YouHow many plates?

Your child3.

YouHow many peanuts on each plate?

Your child2.

YouSo 3 plates of 2 is 3 times 2. How many altogether?

Your child2, 4, 6. Six!

A game for this week: Plate party

  1. Put out 2 to 5 plates.
  2. Call out “3 on each plate!”
  3. Your child fills the plates and tells you the total.
  4. Check by skip counting together. Then swap roles.

A 5-day plan, 10 minutes a day

  1. Day 1Equal groups on plates with peanuts.
  2. Day 2Say it as “times”: 3 times 2 is 6.
  3. Day 3Spot unequal groups.
  4. Day 4Skip count chappals in twos.
  5. Day 5Plate party game.

Everyday moments to practise

  • Chappals by the door: counting in twos.
  • Wheels on 3 cycles.
  • Laddoos on plates for guests.
  • Legs on 4 chairs.

Quick check

Ask these at the end of the week. Tap to see the answer.

4 groups of 5?

20.

3 times 3?

9.

2 + 2 + 2 + 2 is how many times 2?

4 times 2, which is 8.

Ready for the next chapter when your child…

  • Makes equal groups and finds the total.
  • Says “4 times 5” for 4 groups of 5.
  • Knows unequal groups are not a “times” question.

Activities, wording and illustrations are Mathify Kids’ own, following the topics of NCERT’s Joyful Mathematics (Class 1). See the full Class 1 parent guide for every chapter.

Questions parents ask

Is multiplication taught in Class 1?

Only as an idea: equal groups and repeated addition, such as 3 plates of 2 laddoos making 6. Times tables come later.

How do I explain “times” to a six-year-old?

Use plates or katoris with the same number of things on each. “3 plates of 2” is “3 times 2”.

Should my child learn tables now?

Not by heart. Skip counting in 2s, 5s and 10s is enough at this stage.