The Center for Early Childhood Education and Intervention (CECEI) was honored to co-sponsor a virtual talk with the Language and Literacy Research Center (LLRC) with Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek about re-defining and re-conceptualizing education. In her virtual presentation titled “Reimagining Education: A view from the science of learning,” Dr. Hirsh-Pasek, Professor of Psychology at Temple University and a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, spoke to the impact of COVID-19 and how it presents the opportunity to “reimagine” early childhood education. Dr. Hirsh-Pasek proposed the question: “What would it be like if we taught kids in the way that human brains learn?”
Dr. Hirsh-Pasek discussed ways that the current traditional model of education does not effectively prepare children for growing up in the 21st century. She walked through a framework of success for students focused on the “6 Cs:” collaboration, communication, content, critical thinking, creative innovation, and confidence. Dr. Hirsh-Pasek discussed frontiers in early learning that incorporate the 6 Cs; “Project-based learning, discovery learning, playful learning, active learning ... will get us to the breadth of skills that young children need to have.” Dr. Hirsh-Pasek demonstrated the benefits of playful learning through research and examples, and argued that playful learning supports critical thinking and hypothesis testing. After the conclusion of her presentation, Dr. Hirsh-Pasek held a Q&A session with attendees.
Watch the full event recording.