We relax to music. We are energized by music. As a vocalist, I am drawn to certain types of music, others I avoid. Did you know that research on music and music therapy suggests that math and music are related in the brain from very early in life? So reports the Journal of the National Association for the Education of Young Children in an article “The Patterns of Music: Young Children Learning Mathematics through Beat, Rhythm, and Melody.”

Researchers have found that mathematical learning begins very early in life and is associated with learning patterns. Music is filled with rhythmic patterns – complex and simple. Melodies are a construct of patterns – tones, intervals, beats. Exposing young children from infancy to 5 years old to music is part of everyday learning that scientists say helps develop mathematical concepts.

Says the author “Music is a highly social, natural, and developmentally appropriate way to engage even the youngest child in math learning.” Children for whom I have performed love the great melodious hits, like Cole Porter’s ‘Friendship’, Irving Berlin’s ‘I Got the Sun in the Morning’, and Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Not While I’m Around’. It is good to know that my new life skills series for kids, using these songs and many more, helps young child with health, language arts and mathematical concepts!