Unlocking Creativity: How Radford University Professors are Inspiring Early Learners Through Music and STEM

RADFORD, Va. — Exciting changes are coming to how we teach young kids. Professors at Radford University are blending music with STEM—science, technology, engineering, and math—creating songs to help teach these important subjects.

Jennifer McDonel, an Associate Professor of Music, has dedicated years to studying how music can enhance early childhood learning. She discovered that kids who enjoy math engage better with music that relates to math concepts. “When kids connect with songs about math, it sparks their interest,” she explained.

In 2022, McDonel began crafting children’s songs that incorporate math and science. She partnered with the organization Zero To Three, which aims to support early learning with accessible resources. “I focused on vocabulary and concepts that kids encounter daily, writing catchy tunes to reinforce important terms like counting and shapes,” she noted.

Dave Rivers, another Radford professor with a background in songwriting from Nashville, teamed up with McDonel. Together, they composed 44 songs for the Problem Solvers Curriculum. This curriculum aims to build children’s foundational math and science skills while also enhancing their musical abilities.

Rivers emphasized that these songs invite kids to participate. “It’s not just music to hear, it’s music to engage with,” he said. Their project, titled “Little Beats: Counting, Shapes, and Sets,” has gained recognition, even being considered for a Grammy in 2024.

McDonel shared her vision for this new educational approach. “We’re not just using music for teaching math. We’re helping their musical growth too, exposing them to various styles and musical elements.” She believes that by offering rich, diverse music experiences, kids—and even adults—will enjoy what they’re learning.

Currently, McDonel and Rivers are working on 20 more songs focused on early literacy. These will be launched next year, expanding their educational offerings.

You can access the free curriculum with all these songs at Zero To Three. It’s a fantastic opportunity for both educators and parents to enrich children’s learning experiences.

Overall, this innovative approach shows promise in nurturing both musical talent and essential STEM skills in young learners. As research emphasizes the importance of early exposure to these subjects, initiatives like this could help shape a brighter future for education.

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