I used Cheerios and green peas. I placed 1 green pea on the tray and said "1 green pea". Then I stated "1 green pea 1 time is 1 green pea." Then I added another green pea. "1 green pea two times is how many green peas?" He said "2". Then I would state, "Yes. 1 two times is 2." Then I added another green pea. "1 green pea three times is how many green peas?" He said "Three". I said yes, "1 green pea three times is 3". He loved it and would then eat the green peas. Repeat with 2 at a time, then 3, etc. He grabbed onto the concept very quickly. By keeping consistent with the vocabulary, it was easy for him to move from "2 two times is 4" to "2 times 2 is 4".
For division, I gave him 20 dried lima beans. I told him division was taking a group of something and dividing it into piles of that number. For example, 20/2 means you make piles of 2 beans until you have no more beans. I gave him the 20 beans and he made 10 piles of 2. Repeat with 20/4 and 20/5.
Sorry - no workbooks - just playing with food.
Love it! This boy gets more than enough worksheets at school. We'll stick with objects and wordplay for now.
