Shifting away from exclusively rigid instruction towards an evidence-based pedagogy that considers how the human brain learns: Renowned US psychologist Professor Kathryn Hirsh-Pasek provided key impulses for shaping modern approaches to teaching and learning during her time at LIfBi and supported the scientific advancement of the BRISE longitudinal study.
As part of the LIfBi Lecture on June 23, 2026, titled “Active Playful Learning: Where the Science of Learning Meets Education,” Prof. Kathryn Hirsh-Pasek, Ph.D. (Temple University Philadelphia), explained that traditional “factory models” of education neither address systemic inequalities nor prepare children to succeed in the 21st century. She presented Active Playful Learning (APL) as a scientifically grounded alternative resting on a three-part equation: first, embracing cultural contexts and community funds of knowledge; second, teaching in a way that aligns with the science of how children learn; and third, fostering the “6Cs”. These include Collaboration, Communication, Content, Critical Thinking, Creative Innovation, and Confidence (encompassing grit and a growth mindset). A central element is “Guided Play,” where adults support children in playfully exploring concepts through a planned environment and specific learning goals. This method has been shown to support the acquisition of language, STEM skills, and self-regulation, among others.
The scientist and LIfBi researchers used her two-day stay at LIfBi for an intensive exchange on child development. In particular, the planned recruitment of the second NEPS newborn cohort and the potential content of its surveys were discussed extensively at the institute and during exploration tours through Bamberg.
The scientist’s stay at LIfBi also facilitated an intensive exchange within the framework of the Bremen Initiative for Early Childhood Development (BRISE). As a member of the BRISE Scientific Advisory Board, Hirsh-Pasek participated in a board meeting attended by educational researchers from Germany and abroad. BRISE is a unique longitudinal study in Germany investigating a systematic chain of support from pregnancy to school entry for children from disadvantaged families in Bremen. LIfBi is part of the scientific consortium and, in cooperation with the University of Bamberg, contributes innovative instruments from the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS) to capture the child's cognitive and socio-emotional development as well as child and maternal behavior in interaction over time.