Often, we hear persons making statements like, “Music is like math; in music we
count rhythmically, and we divide beats like we use fractions to divide numerals in
math;” however, there may be more profound underlying connections between music
learning and mathematics learning in early childhood rooted in similar, underlying
learning processes that children move through as they grow and develop. Documenting
children’s emergent music and mathematics understandings and cognitive connections constitutes a multi-faceted research agenda requiring multiple perspectivesincluding music, mathematics, cognitive science, and constructivism. (Gordon, 2013;
Sarama, 2009 #363). In a recent research study, I examined current theories of early
music learning and early mathematics learning for similarities and differences(Gordon,
2013; Sarama & Clements, 2009). I present a summary of my findings here to encour
age early childhood researchers and practitioners to consider the possibility of a more
profound music–mathematics relationship in early childhood.