How do you teach a child to multiply?

Use coins or beans as markers. Start with 0. Tell them that multiplying anything times 0 is 0. Then move on to 1. Tell them that multiplying 1 by any number is the number. Arrange the beans or coins to show that 1 of any number from 1 to 9 is the number. Then move on to 2. Arrange the coins or beans so that there are two sets of each number from 1 to 9. Explain that 2 sets of 6, for example, is 12 total. Once the child gets that idea and has practiced with it for awhile, move on to 3. Arrange the coins so that there are 3 groups of each number from 1 to 9. Let him/her count the total number of coins in each of the sets of 3. Explain that, for example, 3 sets with 4 coins in each set is a total of 12 coins. As the child learns and becomes comfortable with each level, gradually move up to the next level until the child has finished all of the levels up to 12.