JLC Media Mentions

Let's Talk About Education, Play, and Equity with Karyn Allee, PhD

In this podcast episode, Dr. Karyn Allee discusses the importance of play in education, highlighting its role in supporting social-emotional development and closing achievement gaps, especially for children in marginalized communities. She emphasizes that education, when done well, is an act of social justice, and advocates for incorporating playful, inquiry-based learning into classrooms to promote equity. Dr. Allee also addresses the tension between academic pressures and developmental needs, urging educators and policymakers to balance rigor with the benefits of play.

How Play and Learning Can Increase Educational Equity for Children

In this podcast episode, Dr. Karyn Allee explores how play-based learning can serve as a powerful tool for promoting equity in education. She delves into the critical role of play in fostering cognitive development, social-emotional growth, and student engagement, particularly for children from underserved communities. Highlighting the intersection of playful learning and social justice, Dr. Allee discusses strategies to integrate inquiry-driven, culturally responsive practices into classrooms while addressing the challenges of balancing academic expectations with developmental needs. This conversation offers valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and advocates working to transform education through equity and joy.

We All Need a Little More Recess

This Brookings blog post explores the importance of recess in supporting children’s social, emotional, and academic development. It highlights how unstructured play helps reduce stress, boost creativity, and promote well-being, with particular benefits for children in underserved communities. The post emphasizes the need to prioritize recess as a key part of a well-rounded education.

Research Spotlight: Playful Learning Gains Momentum

Dr. Karyn Allee’s research on playful learning and its role in promoting equity in early education was highlighted in The 74 Million’s 2024 Research Roundup as one of three must-read studies in early care and education. The piece underscored her findings on how play-based, inquiry-driven approaches support social-emotional development and close achievement gaps, especially for children in underserved communities.

Following this recognition, her work was picked up by multiple outlets, sparking conversations about the growing importance of playful learning in transforming classrooms. This momentum is both inspiring and hopeful, showing that education systems are increasingly embracing the benefits of joyful, developmentally appropriate practices.

The Joyful Learning Collaborative is committed to building on this energy, using research and partnerships to drive meaningful change in education. Join us in advancing equity, joy, and innovation in early learning!

Porch Play Chat with Karyn Allee | The Power of Playful Pedagogy: Addressing Equity Through Play

We’re thrilled to share the newly released episode of Porch Play Chats featuring Dr. Karyn Allee in conversation with host Deb Lawrence. In this vibrant and timely discussion, Dr. Allee explores how playful, inquiry-driven learning fuels engagement, supports social-emotional growth, and helps build more equitable early childhood classrooms. Whether you're an educator, policymaker, or play advocate, this episode is packed with insights on how joy can transform education.

▶️ Watch on YouTube: Porch Play Chat with Karyn Allee
🎧 Listen on Spotify: Porch Play Chats

Or just watch below!​​

What’s Next for the Joyful Learning Collaborative?

The Joyful Learning Collaborative is just getting started, and we’re thrilled to see our work and values gaining attention. From media features to growing conversations about playful, equitable learning, the momentum is building—and we’re ready to keep driving change.

What’s next? More research, more partnerships, and more opportunities to transform education into a joyful, inclusive space for all children. We’re inviting educators, researchers, and advocates to join us in this work. Together, we can continue to make news, spark ideas, and inspire meaningful change in classrooms everywhere.

Let’s build a future where learning is joyful for every child—join us!