5 Ways to Make Math Fun with Music

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

"I can't do this, mom! I don't get it!" "Math sucks!" If your child or student says things like this try to make math fun with music. This helps the child relate more in an entertaining way. Music lyrics and musical activities can also help the child memorize certain skills, due to repetition.

Write songs for each new concept that is taught. Parents or teachers can do this themselves and teach the songs to the kids. Depending on their age level and understanding, kids can even even participate in writing the songs. Singing and creating the songs helps with memorization of the steps required to solve problems. Be sure that the songs not only have answers, but explain the steps necessary to get there. This way the child is not just memorizing the answers, but knows how that answer is possible.

Use the beats of the music to make math. For instance, count how many beats there are per minute. For more complicated math, add, subtract, multiply, and divide beats to figure out how many occur within a specific time-frame or within the entire song. For fun, kids can tap the beats with a drumstick (or clap them) as they count, add, subtract, multiply, and divide.

Turn lesson time into a musical at school or at home. This one may work best with your own children or with younger kids. Sing the lessons to the kids and have them sing back the answers. It's just a silly activity that gets kids giggling and having fun while learning math. This can be a good good activity during homework time or other times when a child is getting frustrated. To take it a step further for older kids, they can actually write a musical based on what they learn and perform it for family or for the school.

Let them dance for correct answers. When a child gets the right answer, let her dance. This inspires the kids to work hard at getting those answers. Dance also helps relieve tension and increase energy, which is good for concentration. The music should be the signal that it's time to dance. Pause it during questions and when someone gives a correct response, press play.

Assign them a research report to be given in song. Just as children write reports in other subjects, they can be written for math as well. To add to the effect and make math fan, add music to the mix. Children can present their reports in song, rather than reading them aloud. Allow for creativity with dance and even props. Leave it up to the kids. When children are having fun, they are more receptive to their environment.

*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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