Okay, homeschool parents, which is easier to learn? Music or math?
I hope you enjoy reading this blog post. If you want to do my course on how to homeschool, click here.
Why is math so scary for most students? To answer that question, let’s compare how kids usually learn math with how they learn music.
When kids learn music, they’re not taught to read sheet music before they ever hear a song. They hear music practically from the time they’re born – lullabies, TV, music apps, even ringtones. Kids are surrounded by music, so when they want to study it, it makes sense to learn how to read sheet music.
On the other hand, kids are also born surrounded by math.
The temperature of the air, the size of their favorite blanket, and even the sound waves that carry music to their little ears – calculations of numbers explain just about everything in their lives.
But when they’re told to sit down with a textbook or a screen and start learning math, they don’t often know why they’re doing it.
For instance, compare these two scenarios:
SENARIO 1: Learn to read music = Create a song. [the below response]
SENARIO 2: Learn to crunch numbers: Pass an exam. [the below response]
So, how do we make math fun and interesting for kids?
Making Math As Fun as Music…
Before putting pencil to paper, kids need to know that crunching numbers is behind almost everything in their lives.
Computer games? Numbers.
Clothing? Numbers.
The car seat that straps them safely in the car, the car that gets them safely where their parents are going, and even the cookie jar that’s just out of reach – numbers, numbers, numbers…you get the idea.
That’s the only way they’ll ever have a chance of really understanding and maybe even liking math.
Thankfully, there are more and more curriculums these days that show kids the purpose of math in real life.
Wait, Weren’t We Talking About Music and Math?
But hold up – why are we even comparing music and math in the first place?
They’re two completely different subjects!
Well, that’s true, but they do have one thing in common – they both require practice to get better.
Just like learning an instrument, learning math requires practice, patience, and dedication.
But let’s be real: math can never be as fun as playing a catchy tune on a guitar or piano.
So, what can we do to make math more exciting?
Maybe we can create a fun math song or rap.
Or we can use games and puzzles to teach math concepts.
Or better yet, we can teach math while baking cookies or building a treehouse.
That way, kids can learn math while having fun and creating something tangible.
Math may not be as glamorous as music, but it’s an essential subject that kids need to learn.
A Closer Look At WHY Math is Important
But let’s take a closer look at why math is so important.
Math is not just about numbers and equations – it’s about problem-solving, critical thinking, and logical reasoning.
These skills are vital for success in almost every aspect of life.
Whether you’re trying to:
- calculate the tip at a restaurant,
- plan a budget or
- design a building…for all these, you need math skills.
Moreover, math is a gateway subject that opens up doors to other fields such as
- science,
- technology,
- engineering, and
- finance.
Without math, we wouldn’t have computers, smartphones, or even the internet.
We wouldn’t be able to send rockets into space or cure diseases.
Math is the foundation upon which many of the world’s greatest achievements have been built.
So, as homeschooling parents, it’s our responsibility to make sure our kids have a strong foundation in math.
How to Improve Math Skills
But how do we ensure our kids have a strong foundation? Here are a few tips:
- Make math a part of everyday life – As we’ve already discussed, math is all around us. Encourage your kids to look for math in their daily lives – whether it’s counting the number of steps to the park or calculating the cost of groceries.
- Use real-life examples – Instead of using abstract examples in textbooks, use real-life examples to teach math concepts. For example, use recipes to teach fractions or use maps to teach geometry.
- Use games and puzzles – Games and puzzles are a great way to make math fun and engaging. There are many math games and puzzles available online that can help your kids practice their math skills.
- Use technology – There are many educational apps and websites that can help your kids learn math in a fun and interactive way. Some of our favorites include Khan Academy, Math Playground, and Prodigy.
- Be patient and encouraging – Learning math can be challenging, so it’s important to be patient and encouraging. Celebrate your kids’ successes, no matter how small, and help them work through their challenges.
Math may not be as glamorous as music, but it’s an essential subject that kids need to learn.
By making math fun and interactive, we can help our kids develop the skills they need to succeed in life. So, let’s embrace math and show our kids that it’s not as scary as it seems!
Want to learn so much more to make your homeschool great? SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel, How to Homeschool, and you’ll get amazing free advice to make you a wonderful educator at home.
Even better? Do the Homeschool Parenting Program, which is my special course for homeschool parents, helping them improve their homeschool skills and get started with confidence!
