Mathematics Multiplication & Divisionusually ages 5–6

Multiplication as repeated addition

Understand multiplication as repeated addition and grouping equal sets

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Explain that 3 groups of 2 is the same as 2 + 2 + 2
Use objects to make equal groups and count the total
Recognise an array as showing equal rows

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Try this together

If your child needs to count 4 bags with 3 apples in each, can they see that instead of counting all 12 one by one, they could add 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 — or say '4 groups of 3'?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Addition as combining or putting together twoages 4–6Multiplication as repeated addition requires understanding addition as combining groups

Counting in 2sages 5–7Skip counting supports understanding equal groups (2s, 5s, 10s)

Multiplication as repeated additionthis skill · ages 5–6

Unlocks

Arrays for multiplicationages 5–6Using arrays requires understanding what multiplication means

Commutative Multiplicationages 6–7Commutativity of multiplication requires understanding multiplication

Reading ×, ÷, and = Symbolsages 6–7Writing × sentences requires understanding multiplication

Times tablesages 6–7Recalling times table facts requires understanding multiplication as repeated addition/grouping

Arrays for multiplication (age 7+)ages 7–8Expressing array totals as sums of equal addends requires understanding multiplication as repeated addition

What Multiplication Meansages 8–9Interpreting products formalises repeated addition/equal groups from Y1

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

Show candidate curriculum codes · 3 ACARA · 2 NSW · 3 VIC

Australian Curriculum v9 candidate

AC9M2N05medium confidenceYear 2 · Number

multiply and divide by one-digit numbers using repeated addition, equal grouping, arrays, and partitioning to support a variety of calculation strategies

AC9M2A03medium confidenceYear 2 · Algebra

recall and demonstrate proficiency with multiplication facts for twos; extend and apply facts to develop the related division facts using doubling and halving

AC9M2A02low confidenceYear 2 · Algebra

recall and demonstrate proficiency with addition facts to 20; extend and apply facts to develop related subtraction facts

NSW syllabus codes & stages only

MA1-FG-01high confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 1

MAE-FG-02medium confidenceMathematics K-10 · Early Stage 1

Victorian Curriculum 2.0 codes & levels only

VC2M2A04medium confidenceMathematics · Level 2 · Algebra strand

VC2M2N05low confidenceMathematics · Level 2 · Number strand

VC2M2A03low confidenceMathematics · Level 2 · Algebra strand

These are candidate alignments generated by semantic matching — machine-suggested and unreviewed (v0.1), not official or verified mappings. For official curriculum content see australiancurriculum.edu.au, curriculum.nsw.edu.au and f10.vcaa.vic.edu.au. Don’t rely on them for registration or compliance purposes.

Nearby on the map

Arrays for multiplicationages 5–6 Commutative Multiplicationages 6–7 Division as equal sharingages 4–6 Multiplication as repeated addition (age 6+)ages 6–7

All Multiplication & Division skills →