Jon talks with Dr. Beverly Falk of the High Quality Learning Project, Lauren Monaco, New York City pre-K teacher, and experienced educators Gil Schmerler and Renee Dinnerstein. They discuss the centrality of play to children’s development as confirmed by recent research on how the brain works. A “play-in” in Manhattan calls for greater emphasis on play in early childhood classes.
Transcript
The full transcription of this conversation will be available soon.
References
- Protectors of Play (POP) website: nycplays.org
- Join NYC Plays’ free, all-ages Play-In with games, activities, and advocacy for play in schools: September 26, from 11am to 1pm at Columbus Park in Chinatown. Register here!
- The High Quality Early Learning Project
- (Podcast) February 20, 2026: NYC Kindergarteners are Being Diagnosed with Play Deprivation & We Can Change It
- (Podcast) February 27, 2026: The Proposal to Fix Kindergarten that NYC’s Mayor Needs to Hear
- Renee Dinnerstein’s book “Choice Time: How to Deepen Learning Through Inquiry and Play”
Soundtrack by Poddington Bear