Songs Rhymes
Maths mnemonics that help
Use memory phrases carefully without replacing understanding.
Quick answer
Maths mnemonics are memory tricks like songs and rhymes that help children remember important maths facts and steps. They work best when they support understanding, not replace it.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will understand how to use maths songs and rhymes to help remember facts, and you'll know how to use them without forgetting what they mean.Success signs:
- You can sing a maths rhyme and explain what it teaches
- You can use a rhyme to help solve a maths problem
- You understand why it's important to learn the meaning behind the rhyme
- You can tell the difference between a helpful rhyme and one that might confuse you
Why this matters
Songs and rhymes make maths more fun and easier to remember. They help you learn times tables, number facts, and problem-solving steps. When you know a rhyme, you can recall facts quickly, which helps you do bigger maths problems. But the most important thing is that you still understand what the maths means – not just the words.How it works
A maths rhyme or song helps your brain remember facts by linking them to music and rhythm. The pattern of the words and the beat help your brain store information. But for the rhyme to be helpful, you must also understand what it's about. For example, if you learn the rhyme "Five times five is twenty-five" but don't know what five groups of five look like, the rhyme won't help you solve real problems.Examples you can see
Let's look at how a simple rhyme can help with multiplication. Here's a rhyme for the 5 times table:| 5 times table | Rhyme |
|---|---|
| 5 x 0 = 0 | Five times zero, nothing there |
| 5 x 1 = 5 | Five times one, that's five |
| 5 x 2 = 10 | Five times two, ten is what you do |
| 5 x 3 = 15 | Five times three, fifteen you see |
| 5 x 4 = 20 | Five times four, twenty is the score |
| 5 x 5 = 25 | Five times five, twenty-five |
| 5 x 6 = 30 | Five times six, thirty's the trick |
| 5 x 7 = 35 | Five times seven, thirty-five |
| 5 x 8 = 40 | Five times eight, forty's the fate |
| 5 x 9 = 45 | Five times nine, forty-five |
| 5 x 10 = 50 | Five times ten, fifty's the win |
| 5 x 11 = 55 | Five times eleven, fifty-five |
| 5 x 12 = 60 | Five times twelve, sixty is what you'll see |
Try it as a mini adventure
Imagine you are a space explorer on a mission to collect 5 types of alien fruits. Each type comes in groups of 5. How many fruits will you collect in total if you gather 5 of each kind?- First type: 5 fruits
- Second type: 5 fruits
- Third type: 5 fruits
- Fourth type: 5 fruits
- Fifth type: 5 fruits
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking that learning a rhyme is the same as learning maths.
Why it happens: Children might think that if they know a rhyme, they understand everything.
Fix: Always ask yourself what the rhyme is teaching. Then try solving a problem using that fact. - Mistake: Confusing one rhyme with another.
Why it happens: If you have many rhymes, they can get mixed up in your head.
Fix: Make sure you know which rhyme is for which maths fact. Practice with flashcards or games. - Mistake: Forgetting to use the rhyme in a real problem.
Why it happens: A child might remember a rhyme but not know how to apply it.
Fix: Use the rhyme to solve a problem. For example, if you know "Five times five is twenty-five", try working out how many cookies are in 5 bags with 5 cookies each.
Parent and carer guide
As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:- Learning a few maths rhymes together and singing them
- Checking that your child understands the maths behind the rhyme
- Using the rhyme to solve real problems, like sharing food or counting money
- Encouraging your child to explain the rhyme and what it means
- Not pushing too hard – let the rhyme be fun, not stressful
Watch for signs that your child is using the rhyme to understand, not just memorize:
- They can explain what 5 x 4 means, not just say "five times four is twenty"
- They can solve a problem using the rhyme
- They can make up their own simple rhyme
Remember, the goal is not just to know the rhyme, but to understand how it helps with maths.
Practice questions
- What does the rhyme "Five times five is twenty-five" tell us?
- How can you use the rhyme to solve 5 x 6?
- Which is the correct rhyme for 5 x 7?
- Can you make up a rhyme for 5 x 3?
- Why is it important to understand what the rhyme means?
Answers:
- It tells us that 5 groups of 5 make 25
- You can use it to know that 5 x 6 is 30
- Five times seven, thirty-five
- Five times three, fifteen you see
- Because you need to understand what the maths is about, not just remember the words
FAQ
What are maths mnemonics?
Mnemonics are memory tricks that help you remember facts. In maths, this often means songs, rhymes, or phrases that make it easier to learn tables or steps.
Are songs and rhymes the best way to learn maths?
No, they are one helpful tool. Understanding the maths is more important than memorising a rhyme. Rhymes help you remember, but not replace learning.
Can I use rhymes for all maths facts?
Yes, but they work best for facts that are hard to remember, like times tables. They are not needed for simple facts like 1 + 1.
How do I know if a rhyme is helpful?
A helpful rhyme makes sense and helps you solve problems. If you can explain what it means and use it to solve a maths problem, it's helpful.
Should I be worried if my child forgets a rhyme?
No, that's normal. The most important thing is that your child understands the maths, not that they remember every rhyme.