As a parent and teacher, I am continually asking myself how I can better help my children and students to be successful in all areas in school. Thankfully, music is a subject that reinforces achievement in multiple subject areas, especially math.
In an article discussing math readiness through the use of music, the author states that “Music is one of the first ways children experience math. Without thinking, our bodies react to music. When we hear music, we rock our babies, clap along, and even look toward the source of the sound. These responses are reactions to musical elements such as steady beat, rhythm, and melody, all of which reflect mathematical concepts.” Simply by turning on a song and engaging with your child or student in relation to the song, children are learning fundamental mathematical concepts without even realizing it. He goes on to say that “children can use melodies to recognize patterns, such as how notes are repeated within a song.” (National Association for the Education of Young Children 2013)
The next time your child or student listens to a song, try helping them pat their knees to the beat of the music or ask them if there were any parts of the song that they heard more than once. Helping your student get a head start in mathematics can be great musical fun!
Resource
Dr. Eugene Geist, National Association for the Education of Young Children 2013, accessed 28 August 2021, Support Math Readiness Through Music | NAEYC
Gina Mees is currently a K-5 vocal music teacher and busy mom of two boys. Her teaching experiences include elementary music, orchestra, middle school music cultures, and private violin, voice, and piano lessons. Gina obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Education as well as a Master of Science degree in Technology for Teaching and Training from The University of South Dakota.