Music To Improve Learning? How Hip Hop Beats Can Enhance Math Skills

Using Music To Improve Learning

Did you know you can use music to improve learning in one of the most difficult subjects for many young students… Math?

Read about this creative approach of using music and hip hop beats that will transform your student’s feelings about Math.

Music To Improve Learning | Math is the Foundation of Music.

Music is built on the foundation of mathematical laws, by using counts to provide a framework for how beats sound and how the rhythm comes together. Patterns of sound come together to create the beats and rhythm that we love and listen to all the time. While some pieces of music have more evident mathematical structures than others, we can find mathematical rhythm and patterns in the songs we hear every day. For example, a whole music note is four beat measures, and fractions like ½ ¼, or ⅛ are often used as notation. When songs bring counts together, we can use multiplication to identify how the rhythm is aligned. Division divides up different beats, allowing for integration and disintegration throughout the song.

Music To Improve Learning | Music Helps Students Think about Math Differently.

Not only do music and math both share a foundation of patterns, they also have a foundation of repetition in common. And as repetition is crucial to committing something to memory, it becomes clear how music can enhance learning and comprehension of mathematical concepts. Educators support that music can aid in the development of academic skills and enhance aspects of the curriculum. Additionally, researchers found that music improves spatial temporal reasoning skills, which is important for math concepts like proportional reasoning and geometry.

As research shows, integrating music into learning can be especially helpful for students with musical inclinations and strong hearing. Leveraging music effectively in learning doesn’t require extensive training or expensive equipment – you just need a song or rhythm instrument and accompanying music notes and mathematical figures. This easy and creative teaching approach is welcome in a time where students are becoming more independent in their studies as a result of distance learning.

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Music To Improve Learning | Using Music in Teaching is a Student-Centered Approach.

It’s important for educators, students, and parents alike to consider different teaching strategies when necessary. Using another instructional approach signals to students that they can achieve anything with persistence. Allowing students to understand how they learn best and how they can teach themselves is crucial to the success of distance learning. To do this, we must focus on the individual needs, abilities, and learning styles of students as it relates to what they are learning. Then, instead of becoming stuck or frustrated, students will learn how to make it work for them without giving up.

With distance learning quickly becoming the new normal, student-centered teaching is more important than ever. Unlike the traditional learning model, where the teacher is at the center in an active role, distance learning requires students to be active and responsible participants in academic instruction. We encourage students, parents and educators to think outside the box for creative strategies like using music to help with math during this challenging time. This strategy will also prepare students for the distractions and uncertainties of post-secondary life, whether that is at college or throughout their adulthood in general.

While this upcoming school year will look different than last year, we are confident that your son can maintain his academic success with ongoing support. During these unusual times, The Blue Heart Foundation is here to help parents and students alike. Our hearts and thoughts go out to each and every one of you as we start this school year. Learn more about how we support our students with programs and resources here.