For nearly 30 years, Kathy Hirsh-Pasek has advocated for the power of joy to enrich early childhood education. Named a “scientific entrepreneur” from the American Association of Psychology, the Stanley and Debra Lefkowitz Faculty Fellow in the Department of Psychology at Temple University has dedicated her career to discovering the most effective pedagogical approaches for young children.
Through her research and role as the co-director of the Temple University Infant and Child Laboratory, Hirsh-Pasek has developed the guided play and playful learning model, an evidence-based approach that emphasizes the key role of joy in early childhood education. Rather than seating children in linear rows in a classroom and requiring them to memorize information, playful learning teaches that children learn best when they engage in play, joy and social connection, in and out of the classroom.
Hirsh-Pasek is the founder of the Playful Learning Landscapes Action Network (PLLAN), which seeks to bring playful learning interventions to cities and transform everyday landscapes, such as bus stops, playgrounds, grocery stores and more, into rich, educational opportunities. Now, she is bringing her insights to children and families living in affordable housing in Philadelphia.
In partnership with Watchdog Real Estate Project Management and Masters Group Design, PLLAN has launched Live and Learn, a groundbreaking Philadelphia-based pilot program that seeks to advance education equity by embedding playful learning installations into affordable housing developments. There are currently two Live and Learn pilot sites in the city, including Susquehanna Square in North Central Philadelphia in partnership with Community Ventures, and Sharswood Phase 3 in Sharswood in partnership with Pennrose. With the support of Councilmember Anthony Phillips, Hirsh-Pasek presented on Live and Learn during a special briefing with Philadelphia City Council.
“Playful learning itself has emerged globally as the evidence-based practice for active engagement and meaningful and joyful learning in children, with proven success in bolstering basic studies like reading and math, as well as social development, critical thinking and perseverance,” Hirsh-Pasek shared with City Council members. “Now, Philadelphia has become the first city in the nation to make beautiful, intergeneration spaces that literally embed the science of learning into the fabric of everyday life through Live and Learn.”
While addressing City Council, Hirsh-Pasek shared examples of playful learning installations, such as “jumping feet,” a hopscotch-like game that engages children in coordination and impulse control; “puzzle walls,” where large images are broken into parts and children rearrange the puzzle to reveal the full picture; and “life-size ruler,” where measurement marks can be added to sidewalks or playground equipment to encourage children to measure distance and engage with mathematic concepts. By integrating playful learning into the architecture of affordable housing developments, Hirsh-Pasek believes that more children will receive greater educational opportunities, regardless of neighborhood. With playful learning, Hirsh-Pasek aims to support deeper learning for children, developing skills based on what she calls “the six Cs”: collaboration, communication, content, critical thinking, creative imagination and confidence.
“Imagine creating areas that help with the loneliness epidemic, with public safety, all while supporting strong learning for children and their families,” said Hirsh-Pasek. “Live and Learn imagines affordable housing as a place not just for shelter but for opportunity.”
Live and Learn is one of many accomplishments for Hirsh-Pasek, whose research into playful learning and advancing childhood education outcomes has spanned decades. With her long-term collaborator, Roberta Golinkoff, she is author of 17 books and 250+ publications, and she serves as a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute. Her 2016 book, Becoming Brilliant: What the Science Tells Us About Raising Successful Children, appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list in Education and Parenting. Her most recent book, Making Schools Work: Bringing the Science of Learning to Joyful Classroom Practice (2022), engaged a team of teachers, school administrators and scientists to show how active, engaged and playful classrooms yield deeper learning results for children. And, in 2023, Hirsh-Pasek and her team were awarded a five-year, $20 million grant from the LEGO Foundation to bring playful learning to underresourced schools across the country.
While Hirsh-Pasek’s research career is vast, her latest venture emphasizes the importance of education equality. In her presentation to City Council, Hirsh-Pasek reiterated that these interventions can be low-cost and that all work done through Live and Learn is informed by local communities. Her team is invested in listening to neighbors and developing bespoke solutions for each neighborhood. Through Live and Learn, Hirsh-Pasek is transforming everyday spaces into extraordinary learning moments.
“Live and Learn shows us what we can do with architectural design that goes beyond functionality and moves into intentionality,” shared Hirsh-Pasek. “We believe strongly that every child deserves to wake up each day surrounded by opportunities to learn, to grow and to flourish.”
– Isabella López