Music, Math Combo Leads to Higher Test Scores Based on 50-Year Research

Music and mathematics can be a good tandem. According to a five-decade study, children do better in math when they incorporate music in it.

Mathematics, Music Combination is Effective

It is believed that music helps increase students' enjoyment of arithmetic. It reportedly keeps them interested in the subject and lessens any fear or worries they may have about it.

According to the peer-reviewed article in Educational Studies, motivation may be raised, and students' appreciation of arithmetic may rise. Clapping to music with various rhythms while studying fractions and numbers is one method of incorporating music into math instruction, as is utilizing math to create musical instruments.

Children who perform well in music also perform better in math, according to prior research. It is less clear, however, if teaching music to children genuinely helps them with their math, per Phys.org.

Turkish researcher Dr. Ayça Akn of Antalya Belek University's Department of Software Engineering explored academic databases for studies on the subject published between 1975 and 2022 to learn more. She then pooled the findings of 55 research conducted globally involving around 78,000 young people, ranging from kindergarteners to university students, to arrive at a conclusion.

Math tests were given to students before and after the intervention, and the difference in their scores was compared to that of students who did not participate in the intervention.

Over time, arithmetic performance was found to improve more when music was used, whether in standalone courses or as a component of math classes.

The most substantial impact was from the integrated sessions, with about 73% of students performing significantly better than children who received no musical intervention.

In comparison to children who received no musical intervention, approximately 69% of students who learned to play an instrument and 58% of students who received regular music lessons improved.

The findings also show that music has a greater influence on younger students and those studying more fundamental mathematical concepts when it comes to aiding in the acquisition of arithmetic than other sorts of math.

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How to Incorporate Music Into Mathematics

Mathematics and music are fun, especially when combined together. According to this blog, you can integrate music into math by teaching students basic math applications to the tune of their favorite songs.

Music can help kids remember things, and it will help them engage and remain focused on the lesson. Also, memorization is necessary in math and music. You can use a familiar melody and add the mathematics rules and let the students sing it to instill the formula in them.

For those who are not musically inclined, there's an online collection of math songs on SongsForTeaching.com.

You can also use instruments - rhythm sticks, triangles, tambourines, and handheld tom-tom drums. If you don't have an instrument, you can use your voice and clap your hands.

Over the course of the year, you can move forward to more difficult classes that require mastering fundamental musical elements, including quarter, half, and whole notes. For example, you can explain to the students that one beat is represented by a quarter note, two beats by a half note, and four beats by a whole note.