The Power of Play: Kathy Hirsh-Pasek
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For decades, researchers in early childhood development have documented evidence that young children learn best while doing what they do best: playing. CEO Michelle Kang explores the importance of play in helping little learners build foundational skills in literacy, math, and more, in a conversation with author, Temple University Professor, and Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Kathy Hirsh-Pasek.
Host
Michelle Kang
NAEYC CEO
Michelle serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), leading a dynamic community of nearly 55,000 members dedicated to advancing high-quality early learning for all children.
Guest
Kathy Hirsh-Pasek
Author and Temple University Professor
Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution
Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, a professor of psychology at Temple University, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and a visiting professor at Oxford University, was declared a “scientific entrepreneur” by the American Association of Psychology. She examines the development of early language and literacy, the role of play in learning, and learning and technology. The author of 18 books and hundreds of publications, she has won numerous awards in her field, including being inducted into the National Academy of Education and winning the Association of Children’s Museum’s Best Friend to Kids Award. Vested in translating science for lay and professional audiences, her book Becoming Brilliant, released in 2016 was on the NYTimes Best Seller List in Education. Her Making Schools Work was released in late Fall of 2022 and her most recent book, Einstein Never Used Flashcards, was released in January 2026.
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