Children Do Much Better in Math When Music Is Added to the Lesson

Researchers have long suspected that music can enhance the learning experience. This study reinforces the idea of incorporating music into math lessons, which can have a transformative impact.

The Harmony of Music and Math

By integrating music into math lessons, educators have discovered a powerful technique for enhancing children’s skills. One common approach involves rhythmic clapping to songs, learning numbers, and equating fractions to musical notes. This harmonious blend of music and math captivates students and facilitates understanding of mathematical concepts.

Unveiling the Benefits

The new analysis, featured in the journal Educational Studies, examined 55 studies involving nearly 78,000 students ranging from kindergarten to university age. Three types of musical interventions were analyzed – traditional music lessons encompassing singing, listening, and composition; instrumental training individually or as part of a band; and music-math integrated interventions, where music was seamlessly incorporated into the lessons.

Remarkable Improvements in Math Performance

Students who participated in music interventions demonstrated improvements in their mathematical abilities. However, the most notable progress was observed in students who experienced integrated lessons, with approximately 73% outperforming their peers with no musical intervention. 69% of students engaged in instrumental training, and 58% of those who had traditional music lessons also exhibited improvement compared to the others.

A Natural Connection

The study unveiled the connection between music and math, highlighting their shared attributes, such as symbol usage, symmetry, abstract thinking, and quantitative reasoning. The unique similarity positions music as an ideal tool for teaching arithmetic, as fundamental mathematical concepts like fractions and ratios are also essential to music.