Mental Maths

Learning math can be a challenging and daunting task for kids, but with the right teaching methods, it can be fun and enjoyable. One of the essential skills that children need to develop in maths is mental maths. Rainbow facts (maths) are a great way to introduce and teach mental maths to children. In this blog post, we will discuss what rainbow facts are and how to teach them to kids.

What are Rainbow Facts?

Rainbow facts are a set of addition/subtraction facts that equal to 10. They are called rainbow facts because the numbers can be arranged in a rainbow-like pattern. Rainbow facts help children to develop their mental maths skills by quickly recalling the sums of the numbers that add up to 10.

Here are some examples of rainbow facts:

• 0 + 10 = 10 related subtraction fact 10 – 0 = 10
• 1 + 9 = 10 related subtraction fact 10 – 1 = 9
• 2 + 8 = 10 related subtraction fact 10 – 2 = 8
• 3 + 7 = 10 related subtraction fact 10 – 3 = 7
• 4 + 6 = 10 related subtraction fact 10 – 4 = 6
• 5 + 5 = 10 related subtraction fact 10 – 5 = 5
• 6 + 4 = 10 related subtraction fact 10 – 6 = 4
• 7 + 3 = 10 related subtraction fact 10 – 7 = 3
• 8 + 2 = 10 related subtraction fact 10 – 8 = 2
• 9 + 1 = 10 related subtraction fact 10 – 9 = 1
• 10 + 0 = 10 related subtraction fact 10 – 0 = 10

Teaching Rainbow Facts mental maths to kids is a great way to help them improve their basic addition skills. Here are some tips on how to do it:

1. Start with the basics: Before introducing Rainbow Facts, make sure your child is familiar with basic addition facts. This will make it easier for them to understand the concept of Rainbow Facts.
2. Use the Rainbow Facts Poster to show your students how to trace along a colour on the rainbow to find a partner pair.
3. Use visual aids: You can use manipulatives like coloured counters or blocks to help your child visualise the Rainbow Facts. For example, if you are teaching the Rainbow Fact for the number 6 (2 + 4 = 6), you can use two blue counters and four yellow counters to represent the numbers.
4. Practice, practice, practice: Repetition is key when it comes to learning Rainbow Facts. Encourage your child to practice regularly, and make sure they understand the concept before moving on to the next set of facts.
5. Introduce the subtraction facts simultaneously and build a fact family of 4 to show how the same 3 numbers can be used to create 3 more facts.

Teaching Rainbow Facts mental maths to kids is a great way to help them improve their basic addition skills. By starting with the basics, using visual aids, making it fun, practising regularly, and using real-life examples, you can help your child master these colourful and easy-to-remember addition facts until they become automatic.