Hi Christy,

I know you've moved on but I would like to answer this for others who have similar questions.

NO...your child does not need to master the multiples. He/she will have lots of opportunities to practice them.

However, when they are saying the multiples....let them use the abacus and move the beads over. It's important that they see it to understand it.

The goal is not to have them memorize their facts. It's to help them see why 3 two times equals six. Let them use the abacus until they tell you they don't need it anymore. I promise that at some point they will know their multiplication facts...and even if they forget some...they'll be able to figure it out especially if they can see it mentally.

Debbie