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«Back to all edWebinarsPlay Is the Work in Kindergarten: Why Rigor and Joy Aren’t a Trade-Off
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT
Presented by Laura Bornfreund, MPA, EdL, Author, Educator, and Policy Researcher, New America
Moderated by Kim Thore, Director of Marketing, Gryphon House
Sponsored by Gryphon House
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Too many kindergartners spend their days sitting still, filling out worksheets, and preparing for assessments, while the research shows that play is how young children learn best. School and district leaders are uniquely positioned to change that.
In this edWebinar, author and early elementary education expert Laura Bornfreund draws on decades of research and classroom observations across the country to argue that play-based learning and academic rigor are not opposing forces. They’re essential partners.
Attendees will:
- Understand what the research says about play and academic outcomes in kindergarten
- Identify what high-quality, intentional play looks like in practice
- Recognize the conditions (policy, culture, and instructional support) that allow teachers to teach and meet young students’ needs
- Learn how to communicate the value of play-based learning to leadership, families, and communities
Whether you’re a principal supporting a single classroom or a district leader shaping K–3 policy, this edWebinar will give you the language, evidence, and practical strategies to champion kindergartens where children thrive academically and joyfully.
Based on Laura Bornfreund’s new book, Rediscovering Kindergarten (Gryphon House, 2026).
About the Presenter
Laura Bornfreund, MPA, EdL, is a Senior Fellow in Education Policy and the former Director of Early and Elementary Education Policy at New America, where she focuses on transforming kindergarten and promoting policy and practice that will strengthen the transition from PreK to kindergarten and early elementary school. She has written extensively for Slate, The Hechinger Report, The Atlantic, Education Week, CNN, and Phi Delta Kappan on issues related to early childhood education. Rediscovering Kindergarten is Laura’s first book with Gryphon House.
About the Moderator
Kim Thore is the Director of Marketing at Gryphon House, a leading publisher of professional resources for early childhood educators, administrators, and families. In her role, she leads strategic marketing, author engagement, digital communications, and thought leadership initiatives that connect research-based practices with the professionals who support young children. Kim collaborates closely with nationally recognized authors, researchers, and education leaders to promote innovative ideas and evidence-based approaches that advance the field of early childhood education.
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
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