On a long car ride this weekend we used as many diversions as possible until the time when we had to load Here Comes The 1 2 3’s by the group They Might Be Giants. Once that Cd is playing it’s on for the duration. What is it about the lyrics and tunes that makes the songs echo over and over and get stuck in one’s head? I have no idea but I do know that kids who listen to and sing these songs are more aware of numbers. Math songs can help with number-sense learning and readiness for kindergarten.
As an example, the song about 3 is called Triops Has 3 Eyes. As the Wee One and I washed some strawberries for snack we found one that was oddly shaped; it had 3 points. “It has 3 just like a triops,” giggled my 3-year old helper. “It’s a triops strawberry,” I added. High five to The 1 2 3’s for that brain connection! (That’s another song, too.)
Even when there isn’t a CD of math songs playing, there are other songs. This Old Man,The Ants Go Marching, 10 In The Bed, 5 Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed, 5 Little Ducks, 5 Little Speckled Frogs, and more. As you and your child sing these songs, your child’s brain is learning about numbers and counting and making all kinds of connections. This helps for kindergarten readiness and kinds of math learning later on. Here’s a song that can count anything: 1 little, 2 little, 3 little … math learnings.
If you are reluctant to sing on your own, many of these songs are available in YouTube. Can you add some singing about math to your child’s day?
Yeah, I agree. Kids can learn while singing 🙂 My son also loves math songs.
Ooo, thanks for that. I’m just putting together an outline for a radio show on Learn and Play with Mrs. A on math, and I will definitely include songs.