Principles of Ideal Learning
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- The Hunt Institute | NCMPS | Trust for Learning
Why is play essential for healthy development and how does it support language development? How does early stress uniquely affect children?
In spring 2026, Trust for Learning’s co-Director Ellen Roche brought playfulness, insight, and awareness to these important questions in a series of livestreamed conversations with three highly regarded leaders in the fields of developmental psychology, and child and family health and wellbeing.
These discussions, held in partnership with The Hunt Institute and the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector, were at times lighthearted, delightful, and even funny – while also offering profound insight and distilled wisdom made accessible for everyone. Whether you are an educator, caregiver, funder, policymaker, or simply curious about how children grow and thrive, these conversations invite you into thoughtful, human-centered dialogue that is both deeply informative and genuinely enjoyable to watch.
Come along for the journey!
Livestream 1–A conversation with Kathy Hirsh-Pasek: Why is play essential for healthy development?
Ellen speaks with Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek about the science behind playful learning and her newly revised book Einstein Never Used Flash Cards, co-authored with longtime colleague Dr. Roberta Golinkoff.
Kathy and Roberta’s groundbreaking work helped shift the conversation about early learning–showing that children learn best not through drills or flash cards, but through play, exploration, and meaningful interaction with caring adults. In this conversation, Kathy and Ellen discuss:
- Why play is essential for healthy development
- What the science says about how young children learn
- How families, educators, funders, and policymakers can protect play in early childhood
- Why the message of Einstein Never Used Flash Cards is more relevant than ever today
Resources:
https://playfullearninglandscapes.com
https://activepplayfullearning.com
Livestream 2–How does early stress shape development?
Ellen interviews Dr. Nicki Bush, Director of the UCSF Division of Developmental Medicine, on 70+ years of research that looks at how stress uniquely affects children.
Key points from this conversation include:
- Childhood adversity is consistently associated with poorer outcomes across many domains
- Early childhood is a uniquely sensitive period
- Teachers can significantly buffer children against adversity
- The effects of early stress are not inevitable: relationships and supportive environments matter enormously
- Early investment yields the greatest social and economic returns
Resources:
Read the paper review: https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-psych-072225-121053
Livestream 3–How does play support language development & early literacy?
Drawing from her book, Einstein Never Used Flash Cards, developmental psychologist Dr. Roberta Golinkoff talks about why play-based instruction is foundational to language development.
Key takeaways:
- Children are natural learners, and play is one of the most effective ways they learn
- The difference between free play and guided play
- What makes learning “stick”: children learn best when learning is active, meaningful, socially interactive, and joyful
- Language develops through relationships and conversation
- Science should inform practice and policy
Enjoy this lighthearted, wisdom-packed conversation with one of the most widely recognized leaders in early language development and playful learning research.
