We all love music for different reasons. The right song can either have you tapping your feet on the dance floor or bawling your eyes into your pillow. But beyond entertainment and saving you from the dark gloom, music has one more superpower: you can use it to teach math.
Thanks to Brighterly and a few other online learning platforms, many parents are aware of the advantages of learning through playing. From 3rd grade math to high school algebra, game-based learning is often an effective route. However, beyond online games and apps, music (such as nursery rhymes) can get your child up to speed in math. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best music about math for kids.
Let’s start.
How Does Music Help in Studying Math?
So, we’ve mentioned that music is effective in teaching kids mathematical concepts. But how exactly does it work?
It helps with cognitive development
Over the past few years, scientific research has proven that music improves cognitive function, boosting one’s problem-solving and logical reasoning skills. When you introduce your child to music, they become faster at picking up concepts and solving problems.
It facilitates memory
Did you know that learning math through songs improves retention? Picture this scenario: Child A reads a section of a math textbook that teaches addition, while Child B learns a nursery rhyme about addition. After 48 hours, which child is more likely to remember what they’ve learned? Although this is merely a fictional scenario, we have our money on Child B. According to studies, music and math typically stimulate the same brain areas. This explains why many musicians have advanced memory systems. By introducing your child to music, you let them retain what they’ve learned and apply the knowledge to new problems.
It helps kids recognize patterns
Patterns are a significant aspect of math. From addition to subtraction and equations, every concept follows a pattern. Fortunately, patterns also play out in music. Thus, by listening to rhymes and math music for children, your child will be able to recognize and memorize patterns in math problems.
Fun Songs for Kids to Learn Math
As a parent or tutor, you should scout fun songs that can help your kid learn math. Fortunately, we’ve collated some of the most catchy ones that can teach a child basic mathematical concepts. Let’s get started.
Ten Green Bottles
Lyrics: Ten green bottles
Hanging on the wall
Ten green bottles
Hanging on the wall
And if one green bottle
Should accidentally fall
There’ll be nine green bottles
Hanging on the wall
Nine green bottles…
Eight green bottles…
(Repeat verse until all the green bottles are gone)
What we love: We love this rhyme for several reasons. For starters, it’s pretty easy to learn and your child catches up after the first or second verse. More importantly, it teaches kids the concept of counting, and as you sing each verse, they can guess the correct answer.
Five Fat Sausages
Lyrics: Five fat sausages sizzling in a pan
The grease got hot – and one went “BANG”!
Four fat sausages sizzling in a pan
The grease got hot – and one went “BANG”!
Three fat sausages sizzling in a pan
The grease got hot – and one went “BANG”!
Two fat sausages sizzling in a pan
The grease got hot – and one went “BANG”!
One fat sausage sizzling in a pan
The grease got hot – and it went “BANG”!
No fat sausages frying in a pan.
What we love: This is yet another catchy tune that teaches counting and subtraction. Its rhythmic pattern lets kids grasp the concept easier. They’d also enjoy the onomatopoeic “bang” at the end of each verse.
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
Lyrics: One, two – buckle my shoe (pretend to tie shoe)
Three, four – shut the door (pretend to shut the door)
Five, six – pick up sticks (pretend to pick up sticks)
Seven, eight – lay them straight (pretend to lay sticks down)
Nine, ten – a big fat hen!
What we love: Counting to ten is one of the foundations of math. Kids need to learn to count to ten, then advance to bigger numbers and so on. This song teaches counting while imitating real-life activities (e.g., picking up sticks). It’s a really fun way to learn!
Count up, countdown
Lyrics: We’re doin’ a count up
We’re doin’ a count up
We’re doin’ a count up from zero
We know what we say
And we say what we know
And we know we can count up from zero
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Yay!
We’re doin’ a countdown
We’re doin’ a countdown
We’re doin’ a countdown to zero
We know what we say
And we say what we know
And we know we can count down to zero
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, Yay!
What we love: Although learning to count can be tricky, it’s even harder teaching kids how to count backwards. Fortunately, this song teaches them how to pull this off by first going through what a child knows (counting up) before exploring counting backwards.
Final Thoughts
Learning math doesn’t have to be monolithic. Away from worksheets and lesson notes, children can also learn math through music. Not only is this an efficient method but also a funny activity. So, why won’t you try it today?
