

Instructions for an arts and crafts activity using common household materials.Ideas for caregivers to promote math while singing and playing with children.A summary of early math concepts embedded in the song.Song lyrics and a link to play video of the song.Everyone can use these guides to support children’s learning-no math or music background is needed. Move, Groove, and Explore MathĮach song guide offers playful ways for caregivers to emphasize the math in the song. Once your child knows the pattern in “ BINGO,” sing a version spelling your child’s name.

“ Un elefante se balanceaba,” which translates in English to, “an elephant was swinging,” could become a tune about your child’s favorite animal swinging on a spider web. For children who love vehicles, “ The Wheels on the Bus” offers endless variety, since children can also sing about and discuss the wheels on the train or scooter or unicycle. The lyrics and accompanying movements in all these songs are easy to learn and adapt based on children’s interests or what is happening around them. Most of all, we chose songs that are fun and catchy to sing! We chose popular and well-known children’s songs that offer math content as well as flexibility to explore more math ideas. Two of the resources are traditional Spanish children’s songs: " El Barquito Chiquitito” and “ Un Elefante se Balanceaba.” In these guides, we offer both the Spanish lyrics and English translation. To support families in learning math through music, we created math song guides based around six children’s songs: Focusing on math in songs can help children see math as enjoyable, which builds positive attitudes around math learning.

Noticing, talking about, and moving along with math in music grows children’s math skills and vocabulary. Fingers represent the five ducks, folding down one finger every time a duck fails to return. As an example, children practice addition and subtraction while singing “ Five Little Ducks,” a well-known song about a group of ducks decreasing in number every time they go out to play and, in the end, all coming back. Singing songs with math content woven throughout the lyrics can support young children’s math development. Not only is singing a pleasure, but it can also be used to help children learn math. Ginsburgįrom lullabies to cleanup songs to pop music earworms, we know that many families like to sing together.
