A Professor of Psychology at Temple University and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, Hirsh-Pasek was declared a “scientific entrepreneur” from the American Association of Psychology. Writing 16 books and 250+ publications, she served as President of the International Congress for Infant Studies and is on the Governing Board of the Society for Research in Child Development. 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.
“How to Have a Fun, Multigenerational Family Vacation” – New York Times, July 17, 2021
Sometimes a trip with small children means the same chores in a different place. Here’s advice on how to make it a vacation. READ MORE…
“A Little Village Laundromat Brings Math Out Of Classrooms And Into Everyday Life For Young Learners” – Block Club Chicago, July 7, 2021
Instead of staring at a phone, kids at a laundromat in Little Village are getting a math lesson while their parents wash and fold. Graphics on washers and dryers offer colorful counting activities, and detergent lids are used to in a pattern game. The display, a Playful Learning installation, is for early learners is up and running at Linares Launderia, 3844 W. 26th St. The installation is a collaborative effort to transform “everyday public places into learning opportunities for caregivers and their children,” said Maya Portillo, Education Program associate at the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. READ MORE…
The Ultimate Playbook: Co-Design in Action
Kathy is a co-founder of The Ultimate Playbook℠ inviting teachers, coaches, school and district leaders to join as a district to confidently co-design effective and equitable educational communities through the power of play and learning science.
The first step in The Ultimate Playbook design is getting to know what makes your community unique, and understanding your goals for students and teachers. For more information, visit our website https://www.theultimateplaybook.org/.
“Best educational toys for toddlers” – Chicago Tribune
“The best educational toys for toddlers are toys that provide a foundation for future learning potential. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for children under the age of 2, except video-chatting and 1 hour or less of high-quality educational screen time per day for children ages 2-5. Based on this advice, educational toys without screens are best for encouraging skill-building in young children.” READ MORE…
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Kathy's work appears in news publications around the world.
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“How to Have a Fun, Multigenerational Family Vacation” – New York Times, July 17, 2021
Sometimes a trip with small children means the same chores in a different place. Here’s advice on how to make it a vacation.
Read full story >
“A Little Village Laundromat Brings Math Out Of Classrooms And Into Everyday Life For Young Learners” – Block Club Chicago, July 7, 2021
Instead of staring at a phone, kids at a laundromat in Little Village are getting a math lesson while their parents wash and fold. Graphics on washers and dryers offer colorful counting activities, and detergent lids are used to in a pattern game. The display, a Playful Learning installation, is for early learners is up […]
Read full story >
The Ultimate Playbook: Co-Design in Action
Kathy is a co-founder of The Ultimate Playbook℠ inviting teachers, coaches, school and district leaders to join as a district to confidently co-design effective and equitable educational communities through the power of play and learning science.
Read full story >
Some of Kathy's books include:
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
Celebrate the Scribble:Appreciating Children's Art
Play = Learning:How Play Motivates and Enhances Children's Cognitive and Social-Emotional Growth
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Kathy is a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, where she contributes articles to her Blog on a regular basis.