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/

If this episode inspired you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who cares about giving children the strongest possible start.

As summer begins and children spend more time outdoors, many parents and educators find themselves asking: How much risk is too much?

In this episode of Plant the Seed of Learning, pediatric occupational therapist Aimee Ketchum and professor of education Crystal Loose explore the fascinating research behind risky play—the thrilling, child-led activities that involve challenge, uncertainty, and manageable risk.

Drawing from the study The Prevalence of Risky Play in Young Children's Indoor and Outdoor Free Play by Sandseter, Kleppe, and Sando (2021), we discuss what risky play looks like in real life, how often children naturally engage in it, and why it is essential for healthy development.

You'll learn:

• What researchers mean by "risky play"
• The eight categories of risky play
• The difference between risks and hazards
• How risky play supports motor skills, executive functioning, confidence, resilience, and problem-solving
• The connection between risky play and anxiety prevention
• Why school readiness is about more than academics
• Practical strategies for parents, educators, and caregivers to support risky play safely

We also share specific phrases adults can use instead of saying "Be careful!" to encourage children's critical thinking, self-awareness, and independence.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, therapist, or policymaker, this episode will help you understand why allowing children to test their limits may be one of the most important gifts we can give them.

Research Article
Sandseter, E. B. H., Kleppe, R., & Sando, O. J. (2021). The prevalence of risky play in young children's indoor and outdoor free play. Early Childhood Education Journal, 49(2), 303–312.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-020-01074-0

Book Referenced
Dearybury, H., & Jones, D. (2020). Playful by Design: Your Stress-Free Guide to Raising Confident, Resilient, and Creative Kids.
https://www.playfulbydesignbook.com

Music isn’t just an extracurricular—it’s a powerful developmental tool that begins in infancy. In this episode, we challenge the idea that children should wait until elementary school for music instruction. With expert insights from Christyn Rutter, we explore how early music experiences support everything from brain development and motor skills to literacy and social connection, giving children a strong foundation before they ever step into a classroom.