Does your child freeze when asked a quick maths question? Do they reach for a calculator even for simple sums? You are not alone — and the good news is, mental maths is a skill that any child can build with the right practice.
This guide is written for parents, teachers, and children aged 6–11 who want to get faster, sharper, and more confident with numbers. Whether your child is just starting out with addition or working through times tables, this article will walk you through everything — step by step, in plain English.
One of the best ways to practise is with Hit the Button, our free interactive maths game that helps children improve their speed and accuracy in real time. But before we get to that, let us build the foundation properly.
By the end of this guide, you will understand what mental maths really means, why it matters at school and in everyday life, and exactly how to get better at it — starting today.
What Is Mental Maths?
Mental maths means solving a number problem in your head — without using a calculator, pen, or paper.
It sounds simple, but it covers a huge range of skills:
- Adding two numbers together quickly
- Knowing your times tables off by heart
- Working out change at a shop
- Doubling and halving numbers
- Finding number bonds that make 10 or 100
A simple example: If someone asks, “What is 7 × 8?” and you answer “56” in three seconds without writing anything down — that is mental maths.
The key idea is automaticity — the ability to recall or work out an answer so quickly that it feels almost effortless. Think of it like learning to read. At first, every word takes effort. Later, it just flows.
Mental maths works the same way. The more a child practises, the faster and more natural it becomes.
Why Mental Maths Matters
It Is Central to the KS1 and KS2 Curriculum
In England, the National Curriculum expects children to develop strong mental calculation skills from Year 1 onwards.
- KS1 (Years 1–2): Children learn number bonds, simple addition and subtraction, and begin doubling and halving.
- KS2 (Years 3–6): The focus shifts to times tables, division facts, fractions, and multi-step mental calculations.
By the end of Year 4, children are expected to know all their times tables up to 12 × 12. That is 144 facts held in memory — and mental maths practice is the only reliable way to get there.
It Builds Real-Life Confidence
Mental maths is not just for school. Children use it constantly in daily life:
- Counting coins and working out change
- Telling the time and calculating how long until something starts
- Sharing things equally between friends
- Estimating whether there is enough of something
When a child can do these things quickly and confidently, they feel capable. That confidence spreads into other areas of learning too.
It Strengthens Memory and Concentration
Research in cognitive science shows that children who practise mental arithmetic regularly develop stronger working memory — the ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind.
This helps with reading comprehension, problem-solving, and even learning a new language. Mental maths is not just maths — it is brain training.
Step-by-Step Guide to Building Mental Maths Skills
Step 1: Master Number Bonds First
Number bonds are pairs of numbers that add together to make a total. The most important ones are number bonds to 10 and number bonds to 20.
Example: 3 + 7 = 10, 6 + 4 = 10, 8 + 2 = 10
Why it matters: Once a child knows these instantly, they can use them to solve much bigger problems. Knowing that 6 + 4 = 10 helps them figure out 16 + 4 = 20 or 60 + 40 = 100.
Mini tip: Practise number bonds in the bath, at the dinner table, or in the car. Ask “What goes with 7 to make 10?” and make it feel like a game rather than a test.
Step 2: Learn Times Tables in Order of Difficulty
Not all times tables are equally hard. A smarter approach is to learn them in this order:
- ×2, ×5, ×10 (easiest — strong patterns)
- ×3, ×4 (build on ×2)
- ×6, ×8 (connected to earlier ones)
- ×7, ×9, ×11, ×12 (these take the most work)
Example: Once a child knows 3 × 4 = 12, they already know 4 × 3 = 12. That cuts the learning in half.
Mini tip: Focus on one table per week. Repetition every day for five minutes beats one long session at the weekend. Try our Hit the Button times tables game to drill each table individually until it sticks.
Step 3: Build Addition and Subtraction Speed
Once number bonds are solid, children can use strategies like:
- Partitioning: Break numbers apart. 47 + 35 = 40 + 30 + 7 + 5 = 70 + 12 = 82
- Bridging through 10: 28 + 5 = 28 + 2 + 3 = 30 + 3 = 33
- Counting on: For subtraction, count forward from the smaller number. 52 − 47 = count on 5 from 47
Example: 64 − 29 → round 29 to 30, subtract 30, then add 1 back. 64 − 30 = 34, then 34 + 1 = 35.
Mini tip: Teach children to see subtraction as a counting-up problem. It is often much faster.
Step 4: Practise Doubling and Halving
Doubling and halving are hidden shortcuts that appear everywhere in maths.
- Knowing double 13 = 26 helps with 13 × 4 (double twice)
- Knowing half of 48 = 24 helps with 48 ÷ 4 (halve twice)
Example: What is 14 × 4? Double 14 = 28. Double again = 56. Done — no formal multiplication needed.
Mini tip: Make a “doubling chain” game. Start at 1, keep doubling — 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32… see how far your child can go.
Easy Tricks and Shortcuts
These are not cheating — they are exactly the strategies that maths teachers use.
The ×9 finger trick: Hold up ten fingers. To do 9 × 4, fold down finger number 4. You get 3 fingers on the left and 6 on the right. Answer: 36. Works for 9 × 1 through 9 × 10.
Multiplying by 11 (up to 9): Just repeat the digit. 11 × 7 = 77. 11 × 3 = 33.
Rounding then adjusting: To add 99, add 100 then subtract 1. 47 + 99 = 147 − 1 = 146.
The ×5 shortcut: Multiply by 10 then halve. 5 × 16 = 10 × 16 ÷ 2 = 160 ÷ 2 = 80.
Squaring numbers ending in 5: 35² = 3 × 4 (the next number) followed by 25. So 35² = 1225. Works every time.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
1. Skipping Number Bonds to Focus on Tables
Why it happens: Parents and children focus on times tables because they seem more “impressive.”
Fix: Number bonds come first. They are the building blocks of everything else.
2. Memorising Without Understanding
Why it happens: Rote repetition without meaning is easy to teach but hard to retain.
Fix: Always connect the fact to a visual or a story. 7 × 8 = 56 → “Five six seven eight” (5, 6, 7, 8 — in order).
3. Practising Too Infrequently
Why it happens: Parents save maths for homework time only.
Fix: Five minutes every day beats one hour once a week. Consistency is everything.
4. Moving On Before a Skill Is Secure
Why it happens: Children (and parents) want to feel they are making progress.
Fix: A skill is only secure when a child can answer correctly under mild time pressure, without hesitation.
5. Avoiding the Hard Tables
Why it happens: Children practise what they already know because it feels good.
Fix: Identify the weakest tables specifically. Practise those first in every session, not last.
6. Mixing Up Multiplication and Division Facts
Why it happens: They are taught separately and not always connected.
Fix: Always teach fact families together. 6 × 7 = 42, so 7 × 6 = 42, 42 ÷ 7 = 6, and 42 ÷ 6 = 7.
7. Getting Discouraged by Mistakes
Why it happens: Children expect to be right every time, especially in front of others.
Fix: Reframe errors as data. “You got that wrong — brilliant. Now we know exactly what to practise.”
Fun Ways to Practise at Home and in the Classroom
At Home
- Supermarket maths: Ask your child to estimate the total while you shop. Who gets closest?
- Car journey questions: “We have been driving 20 minutes. We need 45. How much longer?”
- Cooking together: Double or halve a recipe. What is half of ¾ cup?
- Times table bingo: Write 16 random answers on a card. Call out questions. First to cross off four in a row wins.
In the Classroom
- Beat the teacher: Teacher answers first, class tries to beat the time.
- Relay races: Teams pass a question sheet along — each child answers one before passing it on.
- Whiteboard showdown: Two students, one question, both write and reveal together.
🎮 Practise Mental Maths Using Hit the Button
One of the fastest ways to build mental maths speed is using Hit the Button — our free interactive game designed specifically for KS1 and KS2 learners.
Here is why it works so well:
Speed under pressure: Hit the Button gives children a time limit. This simulates the kind of quick-recall pressure that exams and real life create — but in a safe, fun environment.
Targeted practice: You can select exactly what you want to work on — number bonds, times tables, doubling and halving, division facts, and more. This means children practise their weakest areas, not just what they already know.
Instant feedback: Children see immediately whether they are right or wrong. This feedback loop trains the brain faster than any worksheet.
Repetition without boredom: Because it is a game with a score, children want to beat their previous record. That motivation drives the repetition that builds real fluency.
Whether you call it hit the button maths, the hit the button game, or just press the button maths — the idea is simple. Answer as many questions as you can before the time runs out. The more you play, the faster and more accurate you get.
Try it for just five minutes a day and watch what happens to your child’s confidence over two weeks.
Practice Questions
Try these without a calculator. Answers are at the bottom.
Beginner
- What is 6 + 7?
- What number bonds with 8 to make 10?
- What is double 15?
- What is 5 × 3?
Intermediate 5. What is 47 + 35? 6. What is half of 64? 7. What is 8 × 7? 8. What is 72 ÷ 9?
Challenge 9. What is 13 × 4? (Hint: double twice) 10. What is 99 + 46? 11. What is 125 ÷ 5? 12. If a box has 6 rows of 8 eggs, how many eggs are there in total?
Answers:
- 13 | 2. 2 | 3. 30 | 4. 15 | 5. 82 | 6. 32 | 7. 56 | 8. 8 | 9. 52 | 10. 145 | 11. 25 | 12. 48
Expert Tips for Parents and Teachers
Start with what your child already knows. Confidence matters. Begin every session with two or three easy wins before introducing harder material.
Time practice sessions, but do not make them feel like a test. A sand timer or a fun countdown creates light pressure without anxiety.
Praise the process, not just the answer. “I love how you worked that out” builds a growth mindset. “You are so clever” makes children afraid to fail.
Use mistakes as teaching moments. When a child gets something wrong, slow down and explore why. Ask “How did you get that?” rather than jumping to the correct answer.
Match practice to your child’s current stage. A Year 2 child working on number bonds is right on track — do not rush them to times tables before bonds are secure.
Track progress visibly. A simple chart on the fridge showing which tables a child has mastered is surprisingly powerful motivation.
Little and often beats marathon sessions. Ten minutes every school day is worth more than an hour on a Sunday.
Advanced Insight: Why Speed and Understanding Must Both Be Present
Many educators debate whether speed or understanding is more important in maths. The truth is: you need both, but in the right order.
Understanding must come first. A child who knows why 6 × 7 = 42 — perhaps through arrays, groups, or patterns — will remember it far better than one who simply chants it.
But once understanding is in place, fluency through speed practice is essential. Here is why.
Cognitive load theory (developed by educational psychologist John Sweller) tells us that the brain has limited working memory. When a child is solving a multi-step problem — such as adding fractions or working out a word problem — every piece of information they have to “think about” takes up space.
If they already know 6 × 7 = 42 automatically, that fact costs them nothing. Their full attention goes to the harder part of the problem.
If they have to stop and work out 6 × 7 from scratch every time, they use up precious mental energy — and the overall problem becomes much harder to solve.
This is why fluency matters. It is not about speed for its own sake. It is about freeing up the brain to think about harder things.
Games like Hit the Button are not just fun — they are doing exactly this work. They are moving number facts from “things to think about” into “things I just know.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What age should children start mental maths practice? Children can begin with simple number bonds and counting from age 5. By Year 1 (age 5–6), structured mental maths fits naturally into daily learning.
How long should a practice session be? Five to ten minutes per day is ideal for most children. Quality and consistency matter more than length.
What is Hit the Button and how does it help? Hit the Button is an interactive online maths game where children answer questions against a timer. It builds speed and accuracy across number bonds, times tables, doubling, halving, and division facts. It is aligned to the KS1 and KS2 curriculum.
My child knows the times tables slowly — is that okay? Slow recall is a starting point, not a problem. The goal is to move from slow to automatic through regular practice. Keep sessions positive and consistent.
What if my child gets frustrated? Switch to easier questions for a few rounds. Frustration usually means the difficulty level is too high. Step back, rebuild confidence, and try again.
How is mental maths different from written maths? Written maths uses formal methods on paper (column addition, long multiplication). Mental maths uses strategies in the head. Both matter, but mental maths builds the number sense that makes written maths much easier.
Can practising Hit the Button really make a difference? Yes — provided it is done regularly. Research consistently shows that spaced repetition (short, frequent practice) builds long-term recall far more effectively than cramming.
Conclusion: The Payoff Is Worth the Practice
Mental maths is not a talent that some children are born with. It is a skill — and like all skills, it improves with the right kind of practice.
Start with number bonds. Build times tables one at a time. Use tricks and shortcuts to make the process feel manageable. Practise little and often, and keep the mood positive.
Most importantly, make it enjoyable. A child who finds maths fun will practise without being asked — and a child who practises without being asked will become a child who finds maths easy.
Use Hit the Button to put everything together. Whether your child calls it hit the button maths, the hit the button game, or just “that maths game” — it is one of the most effective tools available for building the kind of speed and accuracy that lasts.
Start today. Five minutes is all it takes.