The podcast is free from your favourite podcast platform. There are a series of short recordings which can be used with or without the free resources you can download here.

As with all MM Maths Method activities the principle is small steps, little and often. For example, if you want to work on the 2 times table download the number sheet, and listen to "All the 2s" Podcast once a day. If you do this for five minutes every day for a couple of weeks and then, when your child is ready move onto the "2s MD Loops" Podcast along with the accompanying sheet and again have one listen a day you will see progress. There are a few additional games you can introduce along with the podcasts but again they are short, and will not take more than an additional few minutes.

Again, the key is little and often, five minutes every day for something that will last a lifetime is not a huge sacrifice!

What order should I do them in?

Number Bonds are the first step and so do them first, and it makes sense to do them in order 3-10. The big one and it can't be emphasized enough is 10, it has so many applications as a building block for other sums so take extra time to ensure these are embedded.

The multiplication tables are slightly different as it can help to learn them with relating sets. With this in mind going for 5 and 10 then 2, 4, 8 then 3, 6, 9 finishing with 7s.

If you want to use them along with the MM Maths Method books then listen to the podcast first every day before you look at the patterns and then try the exercise.

How do I support my child when using the podcasts

Multiples Podcasts -

As you start to listen to these podcasts you should pause as you see fit. Give them time to process each section. Once they are confident at one of the groups of numbers then next time get them to listen from the start to the next point until they are listening and confidently following all 12 multiples.

It is a good idea for you to point at the numbers in turn with them, this means if they lose their way it is easier to get back on track.

Stage 1 - Read the multiples using the sheet.

Stage 2 - Use coins to cover multiples on the sheet. Try covering them in order adding a new coin until they are all covered then remove them in order.

Stage 3 - Write the multiples on scraps of paper and mix them up then get them to put them in order.

Stage 4 - Same as Stage 3 but hide one or two of the multiples.

Factors Podcasts -

The visualisation technique can be quite tricky initially and the first few times you might want to listen to the podcast without closing eyes, this can help when you eventually do.

Stage 1 - Read through the MD loops as groups of three.

Stage 2 - Use coins to cover the multiples and ask them to say what is missing.

Stage 3 - Use the coins and cover selected factors and ask what is missing.

Stage 4 - Write out some sums to complete (unless you are following one of the MM Books where you can use the activities in there).

MD Loops Cards -

How to use the cards:

Step 1 - Cut out 12 cards

Step 2 - Fill the MD loops (if you can use the same colour as the worksheet even better)

Step 3 - Mix them and get your child to put them back in order.

Step 4 - Mix them and get your child to put them back in order. Ask your child to close their eyes, remove one or more then ask them to identify what is missing.

Step 5 - Repeat the exercise but mix the cards first.

Step 6 - With the cards in order read the groups of three out in turn. Once they have been through once turn over the first card and repeat. Do this until all of the cards are turned over. You can then continue by turning them back over and reading out, starting with the first card again.