Dr. Denisha Jones to discuss the importance of play in learning for preschool-age children as a First Up Annual Conference keynote speaker

Philadelphia, PA (April 3, 2025) – On April 25, 2025, at the First Up Annual Conference, Dr. Denisha Jones, renowned early childhood education expert, will deliver a keynote speech on the topic of how educators can embrace the power of play in their classrooms.  Dr. Jones will share her compelling research demonstrating that play is essential for children’s learning and development.  She will highlight the challenges of implementing play-based learning due to systemic barriers and differences between private and public sectors, emphasize the need for educational leaders to understand child development, and offer research collaboration opportunities to support play-centered education.