FAQs, Helps, and Extras

Musical Multiplication is designed for any age, and some even choose to have the whole family do the program together! Through music, even very young children can memorize multiplication facts. While children do not necessarily need to learn multiplication facts at a very young age, many young children will learn them simply because they hear the songs as older siblings are practicing the songs. Some parents choose to have young children use the program directly (not just through the practice of older siblings) so that multiplication facts are memorized well before their math course books start multiplication, and also for the music blessings that come from the program, including a better sense of pitch and rhythm, more confidence in singing, and an appreciation for wholesome, lovely music. If you start children young, it is best not to push the program, letting children participate when they would like to and for as long as their attention holds. Most children start learning multiplication facts in 3rd grade. The Good and the Beautiful math starts multiplication in Level 3.

Here is a link to the instruction card included with the booklets: https://www.goodandbeautiful.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Multiplication-Instruction-Card.pdf

After you check out, you will be emailed a link to download the songs. It will be a ZIP file that contains two folders. One folder has all the individual songs, in case you ever want to practice the songs individually. The other folder has the songs in Sets (Sets A, B, C, and D). The program is designed to be learned in sets. Each set is around 5 minutes long. All the songs for the set are on one track. Simply unzip and save the files to your computer or hand-held device and play them with your device’s audio player.

No. This is an optional resource to help with ease and speed for memorizing multiplication facts.

Yes, at least to start. It is so tempting to just play the songs and not have your student look at the books, but your child’s progress will not be as fast if you do so. Music evokes emotion and memory. If your child can connect a multiplication fact not only to the words of a song, but also to the picture and written numbers, memorization and retention are greatly improved because the music will not only spark an auditory memory of the multiplication fact but also a visual memory. We cannot suggest strongly enough that your child at least start with the books, whether viewing them on-screen or the printable PDF booklets, as he or she sings along with the songs so that those images and numbers are in his or her mind while listening to the songs. Once you have used the books for a while, playing the music without the books at times is acceptable.

No, the program is most effective when it is at least started with the books so that children have the visual learning reinforcement in their minds, as well as the audio. Thus, because we do not recommend completing the program without the books, we do not sell the songs separately, even for those who only want the songs.

If a child spends 10 minutes a day doing flashcards or drills compared to 10 minutes a day doing Musical Multiplication, which way would lead to faster memorization? Think about this: which would be easier, more effective, and faster—teaching a child to memorize the order of the letters in the alphabet without music or with music? It would seem crazy to teach the order of letters in the alphabet without a song. It would take so much longer to memorize the order of letters. Music is powerful, not only for speed of memorization but also for retention. Music is easily ingrained into memory. Musical Multiplication also offers many benefits that drills and  flashcards do not: repeated exposure to beautiful watercolor images and uplifting music (which can impact the child long term in more ways than you may realize); repeated practice with musical concepts such as pitch and rhythm and melody; and . . . enjoyment!  Listening to music can also help the child’s literacy! For example, a 2016 study at the University of Southern California’s Brain and Creativity Institute found that musical experiences during childhood can accelerate brain development in the areas of reading skills and language acquisition.

No. Musical Multiplication helps children memorize multiplication facts. Your child’s math program should teach the concepts behind multiplication.

That is up to individual parents, but it can never hurt for children to memorize the songs before their math course starts teaching multiplication. Children will still learn the concepts, but they will already have the memorization part down!

TWOS (e.g. 2×4, 2×5, etc.) are not included because children learn double addition facts and should easily know the TWOS times tables. TENS are also not included because they are easily memorized. Because problems like 4×5 and 5×4 have the same answer, only one of each combination is included.

While music is a powerful way to memorize, there are a lot of facts to memorize, so the child should not move through the sets too quickly. You want the child to have a set solidly mastered before moving on to another set. Regular review of mastered sets is needed. Consistency is also key. Keep in mind that with the regular drill-and-flashcard approach, children often take 1–3 years until multiplication facts are mastered. While Musical Multiplication should take considerably less time, it can still take months of consistent practice to complete the whole program. With that being said, some children memorize through music unbelievably fast. If the child has mastered a set quickly, move on to the next!

Award-winning songwriter Jenny Phillips wrote Musical Multiplication in order to provide songs for memorization that are fun, but also inspiring and not annoying to listen to over and over again. We suggest having your older children listen to the sample songs on our website and help you decide if this would be a way they would like to learn multiplication facts. Regarding Musical Multiplication with older children, Jenny Phillips said, “My 12-year-old LOATHED flashcards, and I hate to admit that she did not learn her multiplication facts that well. When I wrote and produced these songs, she resisted them, thinking she was too old for the songs. However, I required her to either do flashcards each day or Musical Multiplication a few times a week. She grudgingly chose Musical Multiplication. It wasn’t long until she was singing along to the songs and loving them. She never complains anymore when it’s time for practice. She loves the relaxing time she has with Musical Multiplication. And . . . she has memorized her facts very well now, and I did not have to try to push through flashcards with her each day. I personally recommend this program for most older children who have not yet learned their multiplication facts well, even though they are likely to grumble a little bit. There might just be less grumbling overall than there would be with daily drills and flashcards. But, yes, there will be some older children who just will not be a match for these songs, so use your best judgment.”

Yes! While singing aloud is optimal, the program will still work well if the child sings in his or her mind. Also, the child does not have to be singing in tune for the program to work. Learning the basics of melody and rhythm is wonderful for all children. If a child hates singing, it may be all the more reason to do the program, helping the child improve these skills as he or she sings along.

No! This is for all children using any type of math program.

After you check out, you will be emailed a link to the songs. You may email that link to the person for whom the item is a gift. If the receiver of the gift has any issues with the link or songs, etc., you will need to handle that (as the purchaser) with our customer support.