Hector Research Institute of Education Sciences and Psychology

Mathematics to Listen To – Children Compose with Lego

Course Goal

The course promotes mathematical, musical, and spatial skills through arithmetic, music, and LEGO-based exercises. 

Course Content

The course simultaneously fosters mathematical, musical, and visuospatial abilities. LEGO bricks serve as a link between mathematical and musical structures. Using specially developed software and a multitouch table, children work on mathematically-geometric tasks such as figure translations, reflections, or fraction simplifications, deriving composition techniques like transposition, retrograde inversion, or diminution. They creatively translate these techniques into LEGO patterns, which the software then converts into melodies. 
Through multisensory engagement with musical structures, both abstract thinking and spatial skills are enhanced. Simultaneously, conscious visual and auditory engagement with musical structures strengthens their creative-compositional skills and listening comprehension. Visuospatial skills important for understanding mathematical and scientific relationships are promoted through manipulating LEGO bricks. Musically, children acquire basics such as reading notes, singing scales, and composition techniques. 

Note: The main instrument of the course, the multitouch table, is currently affected by supply shortages and a delivery stop. Therefore, developers have programmed a new app version. “Mathematics to Listen Tocan now also be conducted without the multitouch tableusing a horizontal monitor, a tablet, and a directed camera. Both versions are presented to prospective instructors in the qualification event. 

Inquiries and contact

Kristin Funcke

Phone: 07071/29-76536

E-Mail: info-hkaspam prevention@hib.uni-tuebingen.de

Target Group

The course is suitable for girls and boys in the fourth grade. The children should be interested in musical and mathematical content and enjoy building with Lego bricks. Previous musical experience is helpful but not required.


Why was this course particularly important to you?

With colors and paper, children can be creative at an early age – but in music, such simple tools were missing. That’s why it was important to me to integrate the LEGO table into the course, as it makes it easier to express sound patterns creatively.

Jennifer Müller