Articles from Emma Thompson

Parent Guide to Times Tables Practice with Games

Parent Guide to Times Tables Practice with Games

Ever tried to get your kid to learn times tables at the kitchen table? It can feel like a fight. But what if they asked to practice? Hit The Button Maths makes practice fun. It’s a UK-based, curriculum-aligned platform with free, quick-fire maths games for kids aged 5–11. It turns multiplication into a fun challenge, … Read more

6 Times Tables Mastery: Game‑Led KS2 Strategies

6 Times Tables Mastery: Game-Led KS2 Strategies

Ask any KS2 teacher and they’ll tell you — the 6 times table is where many pupils hit a wall. It’s trickier than the 2s, 5s, or 10s, and it doesn’t have the same easy patterns. Yet, mastering it is essential for Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) success and for tackling fractions, division, and … Read more

Free Online Maths Practice for UK Parents & Kids

Free Online Maths Practice for UK Parents & Kids

In the UK, over 80% of primary teachers use interactive games to boost maths skills in KS1 and KS2 learners. For children aged 5–11, regular practice of core number facts — from times tables to number bonds — is essential for building confidence and fluency. That’s where Hit The Button Maths comes in. Our free, … Read more

KS1 Number Bonds Challenge Ideas (Classroom & Home)

KS1 Number Bonds Challenge Ideas (Classroom & Home)

If your child can instantly answer “What goes with 7 to make 10?” they’re already on the path to strong mental maths skills. According to the UK National Curriculum, mastering number bonds — pairs of numbers that add up to a target total — is a Year 1 and Year 2 priority. These facts underpin … Read more

KS2 Quick‑Fire Challenges: Build Mental Maths Speed

KS2 Quick‑Fire Challenges: Build Mental Maths Speed

Picture a Year 5 class buzzing with energy. The interactive whiteboard lights up, the countdown begins, and pupils race to answer as many questions as they can before the timer runs out. This isn’t just fun — it’s targeted mental maths training. According to the UK National Curriculum, by the end of Year 4 pupils … Read more

Maths Games for 7–11 Year Olds: Classroom Edition

Maths Games for 7–11 Year Olds: Classroom Edition

Imagine a Year 5 pupil who once dreaded multiplication tables now racing against the clock, grinning as they smash their personal best. That’s the magic of quick‑fire maths games — they turn practice into play, and learning into lasting confidence. For KS2 learners (ages 7–11), fluency in number facts is a game‑changer. According to the … Read more

Early Years Maths: How to Use Game‑Based Practice Effectively

Early Years Maths: How to Use Game‑Based Practice Effectively

In the early years of primary school, maths skills grow at lightning speed. Between Reception and Year 2, children move from counting objects to solving addition, subtraction, and even early multiplication problems. But here’s the challenge: without regular, engaging practice, these skills can fade just as quickly as they’re learned. Play Hit The Button Now … Read more