In this thought-provoking episode of Plant the Seed of Learning, pediatric occupational therapist Dr. Aimee Ketchum and professor of education Dr. Crystal Loose welcome renowned developmental psychologist and author Dr. Susan Engel to discuss her newest book, American Kindergarten.

Drawing from visits to 29 kindergarten classrooms across 14 states, Dr. Engel shares what she discovered about the purpose of kindergarten, what young children truly need to thrive, and why the conversation about kindergarten readiness may be missing the bigger picture. Together, we explore the role of play, curiosity, relationships, identity, and thinking in early learning, and discuss what today's classrooms are getting right—and where we still have room to grow.

Whether you're a parent, educator, therapist, or policymaker, this episode will challenge assumptions about early education and leave you with practical insights for supporting young children during one of the most important years of their lives.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why Susan Engel wrote American Kindergarten
• What she observed in classrooms across the United States
• The role of play and curiosity in effective kindergarten classrooms
• What children really need before they enter school
• Common misconceptions about kindergarten readiness
• What an ideal kindergarten classroom would look, sound, and feel like
• The one piece of advice Dr. Engel hopes every parent and educator will take away

Learn more:

• American Kindergarten by Susan Engel: https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300271987/american-kindergarten/
• Susan Engel's faculty page: https://www.williams.edu/psychology/susan-engel/

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