Kathy Hirsh-Pasek

Who is Kathy Hirsh-Pasek?

Kathy Hirsh-Pasek is the Stanley and Deborah Lefkowitz Professor of Psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia. She is the author of 11 books and over 150 professional articles on early childhood and infant development, with a specialty in language and literacy, and playful learning. Hirsh-Pasek was one of the investigators on the acclaimed National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, co-authored the language and literacy curricula for the State of California Preschools, and serves as an advisor on the National Institute of Health Toolbox initiative. She was co-creator of the moral development curricula, An Ethical Start, and speaks widely on ways to translate primary research findings into practice for young children. She consults world-wide on educational policy and works with children’s media, the toy industry, children’s museums and children’s libraries. Her research is supported by funding from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. An advocate of the importance of play and playful education in early childhood, she is a founder and member of the executive committee of The Ultimate Block Party, which drew more than 50,000 people to its inaugural event at Central Park in New York City in October 2010.