The Power of Play: A Discussion About Joyful Teaching and Deeper Learning
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Editors’ Note
On a recent episode of NAEYC’s new podcast Small Talk: Big Ideas About Little Learners, NAEYC CEO Michelle Kang spoke with Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek about the power of play. Dr. Hirsh-Pasek is an author and professor of psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC. She has written a lot about the power of play, including a chapter in NAEYC’s book on developmentally appropriate practice. Her newest initiative, called Playful Learning Landscapes, reimagines and redesigns city parks and public spaces to transform them into places of scientific exploration, social interaction, and play.
Following is an excerpt from their conversation. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Michelle Kang: Let’s start with the big picture. Why is play so important, especially for babies, toddlers, and young children? What is the science telling us?
Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD, is an author and professor of psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC.
Michelle Kang is the chief executive officer of NAEYC.