The Early Childhood Initiative is committed to play-based learning coaching and teaching. Associate Professor and PDG primary investigator Dr. Kimberly Nesbitt, the UNH Early Learning Coaching Team, and PDG staff are spearheading efforts to share best practices and promote successful implementation of play-based learning statewide through practice-based coaching, professional development for key stakeholders, the creation and dissemination of resources, and research. The University of New Hampshire's commitment to play-based coaching and teaching is grounded in evidence-based best practices, is informed by ongoing research, and supports collaborative statewide efforts in response to New Hampshire's 2018 play-based learning amendment and as part of the NH Preschool Development Grant (PDG).
Contact
Karen DuBois-Garofalo, M. Ed.
Lead Early Learning Coach
and Coordinator
University of New Hampshire
karen.dubois-garofalo@unh.edu
Promoting Play-based Learning Statewide
The Preschool Development Grant (PDG) supports New Hampshire's efforts to better understand the current early childhood system and use data to strengthen the system, better address the needs of vulnerable young children and their families, and help build a solid foundation to improve outcomes for children, families, schools, and communities. The grant seeks to support New Hampshire's vision that all families are afforded comprehensive and responsive supports, so that they are healthy, learning, and thriving now and in the future.
The PDG aims to enhance collaboration and coherence within early childhood systems by sharing best practices among early childhood education providers in the state. A targeted activity of the grant is to support kindergarten and preschool teachers with the implementation of play-based learning and evaluate the effectiveness of embedded coaching to support guided play, classroom interactions, and child outcomes. Associate Professor and PDG primary investigator Dr. Kimberly Nesbitt, the UNH Early Learning Coaching Team, and PDG staff are spearheading efforts to share best practices and promote successful implementation of play-based learning statewide through practice-based coaching, professional development for key stakeholders, the creation and dissemination of resources, and research.
New Hampshire's
Play-based Learning Amendment
The State of New Hampshire is at the forefront of educational reform, with leaders actively and passionately supporting Early Childhood Education and the implementation of best practices statewide. In 2018, a bi-partisan bill amended NH’s RSA 193-E:2-a, the Substantive Educational Content of an Adequate Education law, to state:
"Instruction in support of kindergarten standards shall be engaging and shall foster children’s development and learning in all domains including physical, social, cognitive, and language. Educators shall create a learning environment that facilitates high-quality, child-directed experiences based upon early childhood best teaching practices and play-based learning that comprise movement, creative expression, exploration, socialization, and music. Educators shall develop literacy through guided reading and shall provide unstructured time for the discovery of each child’s individual talents, abilities, and needs."
Featured Article
Inside the effort to bring 'guided play' to more Kindergarten classrooms
published by New Hampshire public radio
The UNH Early Learning Coaching Initiative, led by Dr. Kimberly Nesbitt, partnered with the Manchester School District in 2023-2024 to coach kindergarten teachers in implementing guided play. This article, from New Hampshire Public Radio, shares insights from Manchester teachers, Dr. Nesbitt, and coaches on the impact of guided play in fostering social and academic skills, along with ongoing efforts to expand this work.
Learn More About Coaching Opportunities
Karen DuBois-Garofalo, M.Ed.
Lead Early Learning Coach & Coordinator
University of New Hampshire
9 Madbury Road
Durham, NH 03824
karen.dubois-garofalo@unh.edu
Learn More About EC Initiatives and Research
Kimberly Turner Nesbitt, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Human Development and Family Studies
University of New Hampshire
217 Pettee Hall
kimberly.nesbitt@unh.edu
The Preschool Development Grant is sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (Award# 90TP0110). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of any organization or agency that provided support for the project.
