I think there is a big difference from when I was a kid learning math and my own kids learning it today. Today (well, at least in my own kids' school) they learn it in a visual, even hands-on, way that makes sense so that they can understand it at an earlier age. Whereas, when I was in 3rd grade I was given a chart with multiplication tables up through 10, and was expected to memorize it and take a test 2 weeks later
. Really that's how it was introduced to me! Kids can learn math easily if it is taught in a practical understandable way. Charts, flash cards, and reciting the facts is great and all, but it does kids very little good if they aren't taught WHY those facts are what they are.