A Professor of Psychology at Temple University and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, Hirsh-Pasek was declared a “scientific entrepreneur” by the American Association of Psychology. Writing 14 books and 250+ publications, her Einstein Never Used Flashcards won the Book for a Better Life Award in 2003 with her Becoming Brilliant (2016) reaching the NYTimes Best Sellers List in education. Co-founder of the global Learning Science Exchange Fellowship, she brings together scientists, journalists, policy makers and entertainers, to put learning science in the hands of educators. Her newest initiative Playful Learning Landscapes re-imagines cities and public squares as places with science infused designs that enhance academic and social opportunities. Read her newest book Making Schools Work: Bringing the Science of Learning to Joyful Classroom Practice (2022) co-written by teachers, school administrators and scientists to bring about joyful teaching and deeper learning.
“Controversies around children and digital technology” – Child and Family Blog, June 30, 2025
“The debate over children’s interaction with digital technology has reached a fever pitch. At the forefront of this discussion stands Jonathan Haidt, a professor at New York University with expertise in social psychology and morality. Haidt’s most recent and popular book, The Anxious Generation, boldly challenges the pervasive integration of digital devices into children’s lives. Haidt argues that smartphones and screens contribute to “social deprivation, sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation, and addiction,”(p. 98), painting a dire picture of the consequences for today’s youth.” READ MORE…
“Unlocking High-Quality Teaching” – OECD Publishing, April 3, 2025
“In the pursuit of advancing educational excellence, the constant improvement of teaching is not just necessary – it’s imperative. Amidst the rapid innovations characterising our era, it is tempting to be immediately drawn to new technologies and novel methodologies promising to transform education. Yet, meaningful advancements in educational outcomes can also be achieved by refining practices that have demonstrated impact.” READ MORE…
“An Ode to Joy: Advances in Playful Learning” – Brookings Institute Commentary, June 10, 2025
“June 11 marks the second annual International Day of Play. It reinforces the latest data from the science of learning: Free play and playful learning should be intertwined into children’s lives so that they can flourish academically and socially while becoming collaborative, critical thinkers, creative innovators and citizens of tomorrow. As UNICEF notes, ‘Play isn’t just fun—it’s essential for every child’s development.’” READ MORE…
“Teaching in the way human brains learn: First results from Active Playful Learning” – Center for Universal Education Working Paper #193, the Brookings Institute, May 23, 2025
“Education, especially in public or state schools, transforms societies. It promotes innovation and supports social mobility (e.g., Chetty et al. 2011; Hyman 2017, 268-270; Jackson and Mackevicius 2024, 422-427; Winthrop et al. 2013, 5, 13). Our current model of education helped move the United States (U.S.) and other countries into the Industrial Age (Darling-Hammond 2022, 54; Winthrop et al. 2017, 14). However, it is less effective at developing the skills needed for individuals to thrive in this Information Age and beyond.” READ MORE…
The latest tweets on Science & Learning
A fabulous overview article by our very own @blhassinger who shows the collective power of Playful Learning Landscapes! #playfullearning @playfullearng @JournalUrbanism
AI is an exquisitely good synthesizer but not an exquisitely good thinker. Thank you @Makai Allbert for this article.
We are so excited to launch in Santa Ana! @UCIrvine @playfullearng @Bustamante_AS #PlayfulLearningLandscapes
Kathy's work appears in news publications around the world.
Check out some of the latest...
“Controversies around children and digital technology” – Child and Family Blog, June 30, 2025
“The debate over children’s interaction with digital technology has reached a fever pitch. At the forefront of this discussion stands Jonathan Haidt, a professor at New York University with expertise in social psychology and morality. Haidt’s most recent and popular book, The Anxious Generation, boldly challenges the pervasive integration of digital devices into children’s lives. Haidt argues […]
Read full story >
“Unlocking High-Quality Teaching” – OECD Publishing, April 3, 2025
“In the pursuit of advancing educational excellence, the constant improvement of teaching is not just necessary – it’s imperative. Amidst the rapid innovations characterising our era, it is tempting to be immediately drawn to new technologies and novel methodologies promising to transform education. Yet, meaningful advancements in educational outcomes can also be achieved by refining […]
Read full story >
“An Ode to Joy: Advances in Playful Learning” – Brookings Institute Commentary, June 10, 2025
“June 11 marks the second annual International Day of Play. It reinforces the latest data from the science of learning: Free play and playful learning should be intertwined into children’s lives so that they can flourish academically and socially while becoming collaborative, critical thinkers, creative innovators and citizens of tomorrow. As UNICEF notes, ‘Play isn’t just fun—it’s […]
Read full story >
Some of Kathy's books include:
Making Schools WorkBringing the Science of Learning to Joyful Classroom Practice
User’s Manual for the Quick Interactive Language Screener™: English–Spanish (QUILS™: ES)A Measure of Vocabulary, Syntax, and Language Acquisition Skills in Young Bilingual Children
User’s Manual for the Quick Interactive Language Screener™ (QUILS™)A measure of Vocabulary, Syntax, and Language Acquisition Skills in Young Children
Becoming Brilliant:What Science Tells Us About Raising Successful Children
A Mandate for Playful Learning in Preschool:Presenting the Evidence
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Kathy is a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, where she contributes articles to her Blog on a regular basis.