> I don't think most kids are curious about the multiplication tables

Which is exactly why they stopped teaching them in US curriculum under No Child Left Behind.

what? I started school in the early 2000s, after no child left behind started, and definitely learned multiplication tables lol

You're right, apparently this was a much more recent thing and california only. I just knew neither of my kids were taught them, so I assumed it happened longer ago.

https://www.thewellnews.com/opinions/california-removes-memo...