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Radford University professors bridge STEM and music for early learners

Radford, VA (04/07/2025) — Jennifer McDonel, an associate professor of music at Radford University and the Director of Music Education, has spent many years studying the connection between music and mathematics, especially in early childhood. Her work demonstrates how music can foster cognitive, social, emotional and physical development, laying the foundation for stronger kindergarten readiness.

McDonel has partnered with "Zero-To-Three," a national nonprofit agency that seeks to bridge gaps in early learning by providing open-source materials for parents, Head Start and other childcare professionals. She, along with Radford Associate Professor of Music David Rivers create music-based tools integrating music with STEM education.

Over the past couple of years, McDonel and Rivers have composed 44 original songs for the Problem Solvers curriculum, which helps children grasp foundational concepts in math, science and engineering while developing musical skills through active listening and movement."

The result of that has been a multi-album project called "Little Beats: Counting, Shapes, and Sets," which was under consideration for a Grammy in 2023, and listed as one of the top 100 children's albums released that year.

"This project has been a labor of love, merging academic content with music in a way that is both engaging and educational," McDonel said, "providing families and educators with valuable resources to support children's development."

In May, McDonel and Rivers will begin writing and producing 20 additional songs related to early literacy.

The goal for the songs, from McDonel's perspective, is to give children "a really rich musical listening vocabulary," she said. "If we create these rich pathways for kids to learn in a playful environment, it just gives them that holistic learning experience."

To schedule an interview with McDonel, contact Justin Ward in the Radford University Marketing and Communication office at (540) 831-1953 or jward53@radford.edu.