Does Music Help With Memorization of Math Formulas?
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Parents and students are always on the hunt for tricks that can make learning easier, faster, and more fun. One idea you might have heard is that music can positively influence study. But does music help with memorization? And if so, what’s the best way for you or your child to take advantage of it? This article explains everything you need to know.
Why Music Feels Like It Helps With Memorization
The benefits of music and learning aren’t just claims TikTok influencers make. Top universities, like the University of California, Los Angeles, cite studies that show music lowers the risk of dementia and decline in cognitive functions.
You may not even need studies to realize the effects of music. Oftentimes, you can recite catchy advertisement jingles or song lyrics from years ago effortlessly. Think about the ABCs. Teaching the alphabet to a child as individual letters without the fun melody that everyone uses today would seem nearly impossible. But why does music help with memorization?
The reason it’s so easy to remember musical lyrics is because of how the brain functions. Music engages brain regions like the prefrontal cortex, which picks up and remembers patterns quickly. The predictable sound and structure of a specific song or musical number can easily transition from short-term working memory to long-term memory. That’s why something that has a rhyme and rhythm together is easier to remember than the name of someone you just met or a fact you read in a textbook.
Another factor is repetition. When you repeat something over and over, you’re using motor skills. By using muscles to sing or hum a song again and again, it becomes more firmly etched in your memory. While it’s possible to repeat phrases or words out loud again and again to remember them, singing is much more fun and natural.
Using music to improve learning can help your child for multiple reasons. To start, it helps students learn more with less effort. This leads to less stress, more enjoyment when studying, and more academic success. It’s an especially helpful method for learning subjects that aren’t exciting for your child.
When Music Can (and Can’t) Help With Learning Math
Music is one of the most useful activities to improve memory, but it has some limitations when it comes to math. Listening to music while studying can help when a student is learning the basics. For example, memorizing multiplication tables, sequences, formulas, definitions, and patterns. When students need to remember rules or quick calculations, humming a familiar tune can give them an answer.
Apart from memorization, background music or nature sounds can help with your child’s comfort. Listening to classical music can act as music therapy and reduce anxiety or increase engagement for some learners. Relaxed studying with instrumental music can allow your child to study for longer sessions, regulating emotional responses, maintaining focus, and keeping motivated during that time.
However, math isn’t just about memorizing information. It’s about the application. As your child gets into more advanced classes, they must analyze and interpret difficult problems. Music cannot help them better understand word problems, choose the right strategy, solve complex problems, or figure out where they went wrong. These issues require practice and careful thought.
Rote Memorization vs. True Understanding in Math
There’s a big difference between rote memorization and meaningful learning. Rote memorization is remembering information due to repetition. This is where music can help. However, a true understanding of math means understanding how concepts fit together and how to apply principles and theorems.
For example, you can come up with a memory trick or song to remember that the area of a triangle is base times height divided by two. But if a triangle appears on a test that is upside down, angled, or inside a larger shape, it’s important to understand the underlying concepts of the formula to actually solve the problem.
Your child may also think they are more prepared than they are because they’ve memorized formulas through rote memorization. However, when faced with tests or homework, they might freeze up or make mistakes. Having a deep understanding of the theory behind a formula helps your child understand how it works and what to do. This meaningful learning leads to better math skills in the long run.
How Effective Tutors Use Multi-Sensory Learning Without Gimmicks
Tricks and gimmicks can help your child learn the basics, but there are better options available for long-term improvements. Working with a tutor is an excellent way to increase understanding of mathematical concepts. Good tutors combine multiple teaching strategies for great results, including:
- Visuals: Visuals like graphs, diagrams, and models are great for students learning math because they make abstract ideas easier to understand.
- Explanations: Not every student understands the textbook’s definition. Tutors can give personalized step-by-step breakdowns so students can see how and why concepts work.
- Practice: Guided practice with expert feedback allows students to apply what they’ve learned and correct their mistakes. They also build confidence through repetition.
- Memory aids: While students shouldn’t depend on memory exercises for studying, like songs and mnemonics, tutors can offer suggestions to make math easier.
If your child has ADHD, dyslexia, or a unique learning style, they can benefit from guided learning from an experienced tutor. While it’s good to listen to music while memorizing, students should use it as a support tool in addition to focused, personalized tutoring.
What Actually Builds Lasting Confidence in Math
In the end, does music help with memorizing? Yes, music is one of the most useful memorization techniques your child can use to learn formulas and basic facts. It works well as a support tool, but progress can slow if they lean on it as a main learning method.
Does your child struggle with mastering complex concepts and ideas, especially in math? The best thing to do is to pair them with an expert who offers personalized help. A tutor can quickly identify their weaknesses and give explanations and practice questions to help turn them into a strength. Developing a mastery of math through tutoring gives students newfound confidence that reduces test anxiety and leads to stronger academic performance.
At Alexander Tutoring, our tutors hold degrees in mathematics and are ready to help students reach their full potential. Whether it’s studying for a college entrance exam, improving grades, or building a foundation in math, Alexander Tutoring has you covered. Contact Alexander Tutoring today for a risk-free evaluation and see how it can help your child excel in math.
